I’m watching the Tankless Water Heater Video and the guest mentions that a 2004 NAECA code revision for tank water heaters made it so the inter wall of the tank is thinner, resulting in water heaters that last 3 - 5 years before the possibility of tank explosion (statement made around 35 minutes).
Is this true that tanks manufactured after 2004 have a life span of 3-5 years? I’ve seen multiple times that tank systems last ~10 years.
I did some training with Rheem last month and the current guideline is a tankless water heater is designed to last 25 years with proper maintenance. I’ve owned 3 and neither one of them has given me any problems.
Martin, thanks for the reply. I should have been more specific… My question is related to tank systems.
Typical designed lifespan for a Standard water heater/tank with proper maintenance is 8-12 years.
New tank water heaters will last over 20 years with proper maintenance. The video may have eluded to the 6 year anode rod that is installed in a tank style water heater. Replace this sacrificial metal rod every few years and the life expectancy of the water heater is greatly increased. Along with annual flushing the water heater may last much longer than 20 years.
In my area, the public water supply is pretty good chemically speaking. It is very common to see 15 yr old gas water heaters and 20 yr old electric water heaters.
There are some suburbs that have much worse water and those tanks may only last 4-7 years.
Yup water quality is a major factor.
Some homes with shallow wells around here are better boiling water in a cast iron kettle. 
Welcome to our forum, Paul!..Enjoy! 
Lots of factors, including the big one, which is the condition of the water being heated, but in my experience over the past 20+ years, in my area, they tend to last at least 6 years. Designed to make it safely through the warranty period.
I recently swapped an electric unit out. The old one started leaking. The new one (both 40 gallon) was much larger in diameter. Far more insulation in it.
If you were to spend some maintenance time regularly, I am quite sure you could double or triple the life, but swapping out every 6 to 10 years gets you the latest technology.
https://www.corroprotec.com/
Has two advantages over a anode rod: longevity, and an LED that tells you when to change it.
Gas technology has changed a lot.
Electric: not so much. A new electric heater is just about the same, maybe slightly thicker insulation, compared to a decades old model.
Hi Saman,
I just watched that video too. I got the impression it was part of his sales pitch to get people to switch over to tankless systems, which he sells. Although I am working on my Florida license requirements right now, I am also a real estate agent and I haven’t heard any inspectors mentioning 3-5 years on newer tanks. Telling a buyer that would be the quickest way to never have an agent call again.
Matt
Most water heaters have a six-year warranty. If the water heater is past that warranty period the home inspector does have the right to mention the fact that it could be beyond his life expectancy. I have seen water heaters in certain areas that only last 5 to 7 years. Like most on this forum I really don’t care what the agents say or recommend I stay very busy without agents.
A life expectancy of a WH tank will vary greatly with water quality, use, and maintenance – there is nothing set in stone. It is important for the homeowner to understand that a WH can start leaking at ANY time, even if it’s brand spanking NEW. It needs to be monitored and maintained. If there is a risk of water damage, any tank older than 15-20 years should be replaced. There is a reason why insurance companies don’t want to see WH older than 15 years of age.
The 3-5 years came from the OP. It was a statement made specifically by someone in the video who sells tankless water heaters. There was never meant to be a suggestion that it was correct. We know anything can fail at any time. Also, I agree, I don’t care either what RE agents say. The point I was making was, if you were standing next to a water heater in good condition, installed in 2018 ( 3 years old) with a buyer client, and said, based on the opinion of the guy in the video, “These new ones were manufactured by federal law to only last 3-5 years”, you would not be recommended by real estate agents and lose a lot of work.
I hope you understand I am just clarifying what I said, not arguing with you. 
Yep!..
I had one agent tell me she knew I hated the house 10 minutes into the inspection and the house did not stand a chance. She was angry.
So, I just agreed with her. Because within the 1st 10 minutes I was able to ascertain that most of the rim band, some siding/sheathing was below grade, portions of the wood floor structure were sitting on the ground and that negative slope was driving water into the home.
I never heard from her again. But, my client stuck with me.
Clearly the tankless guy is in the business of selling tankless heaters. Average life is 10-15 years, interestingly shortened with the presence of a water softener, the salt deteriorates the anode quicker. Most tanks have 6 year warranties with the option, for a few hundred dollars more, to bring it to 10 years. Every manufacturer wants it to make it past the warranty. Obviously super awkward for the inspector to call BS to the guys face on video, but come on. If he’s going to say something that crazy can he be trusted with anything else?