Every home has a water heating system. Unfortunately, none of them last forever. Most water heaters have an average life span ranging from 12-15 years. You will know it is time for replacement when one of several things happen: no hot water, a severe leak, or brown water. And when it comes time for replacement, we are the first call you should make.
Gas water heaters operate with natural gas or propane. They use a gas burner to heat up the water to an adjustable temperature, usually no more than 125 degrees. Gas water heaters have a fast heat up time. Gas water heaters produce combustion, so they have a vent at the top to allow all spent hot gases to flow from the unit itself.
Electric water heaters function by using two thermostats located on the side of the tank to heat up two elements within the tank. These elements get red hot, heating all the water inside. The thermostats are adjustable to 125 degrees in most cases. Electric water heaters do not require a vent, so they can be installed in a wider variety of spaces. They have a slower heat up rate. Either system will function in any home built for them, and both have roughly the same life span.