How Long Do Hybrid Water Heaters Last?

Hybrid water heaters are a newer option, and they can cost considerably more than some other water heater options. It makes sense that you’d want to know how long a hybrid water heater will last, so you know how long your original investment in the unit will last.

How Long Will a Hybrid Water Heater Last?

Hybrid water heaters may last 10 years or longer without needing replacement. Many manufacturers offer a 10-year warranty on their hybrid water heaters, which is four years longer than the standard warranty on other types (six years.) Your hybrid water heater will last longer if you keep it in good condition.

Of course, the quality of the original design is just as important in making your hybrid water heater last as long as possible. We recommend the AeroTherm® Series from manufacturer Bradford White. These are well-designed units with simple parts that work well in tandem.

The residential models have anode rods to extend the life of the tank portion of the heater. They also have other features that make servicing and maintaining the equipment easy, including low-restrictive brass drain valves. The unit can even be laid down, making transport easier on the machine and the technician.

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How Do Hybrid Water Heaters Fail?

Without proper maintenance, your hybrid water heater is vulnerable to a few different methods of failure. As they include both a heat pump-based system and an electric heating system, they’re redundant to failure and can often still produce some hot water in the event one system or the other fails.

Some modes of failure to watch out for include:

• Tank corrosion: Hybrid water heaters have a tank portion for the electrical heating back-up system. They always maintain hot water in the tank, and, like other tank models, they can corrode or sediment can cause issues. A corroded tank can’t be replaced, so this is a cause of failure. It’s especially important to have and replace the anode rod in the tank for this reason, and to flush sediment regularly.
• Heating element/electrical issues: The heating element portion is made of sensitive components, some of which are expensive to replace, especially the heating element. While sometimes you can fix loose contacts or other electrical issues, over a long enough time, the electrical system on your hybrid water heater is likely to cause failure.
• Compressor damage: The compressor is another important part. This one belongs to the heat pump portion. If a compressor is damaged, particularly through issues that could be fixed by maintenance, such as overfull filters, which restrict air, then the water heater will fail. It’s expensive to replace compressors.

How To Prolong the Life of Your Hybrid Water Heater

Here are three tips for maximizing the life span of your hybrid water heater:

• Flush or drain your tank and pipes: The sediment in California’s hard water can build up in your water heater’s tank and pipes, leading to breakdowns or malfunctions. It’s important to flush your tank annually.
• Take care of repairs when needed: It’s not uncommon for homeowners to delay water heater repairs when they notice odd sounds or minor leaks. But these seemingly minor issues can lead to serious damage. If you notice signs of an issue, schedule water heater repair ASAP.
• Keep up with maintenance: Most water heater issues can be significantly delayed with proper maintenance. Keep your hybrid water heater in good condition, and it may last well past 10 years.

Contact Barnett Plumbing today to learn more about our water heater maintenance in Livermore, CA, and nearby. 

Here’s my personal promise to you: When you call or schedule an on-site estimate, there will be no pressure. No obligation. We will not sell you a water heater you don’t need or want.

Thanks for letting us be your trusted plumber.

Phil Barnett
President of Barnett Plumbing & Water Heaters