Water heaters

How old is my Stiebel Eltron water heater?

Stiebel Eltron water heaters carry the build date inside the serial number.

How to read a Stiebel Eltron serial number

No reliable published rule exists for Stiebel Eltron serials. The maker can date the unit from the serial number.

Where to find the serial number

How long should it last?

Typical life of a tankless water heater: 15 to 20 years

A gas tankless water heater usually lasts 15 to 20 years, and sometimes longer, because there is no tank to rust through. Scale buildup in the heat exchanger is what shortens its life.

How long does a tankless water heater last? · Should I replace my water heater? · DC Dept. of Energy & Environment, U.S. DOE Building America

Should I replace it?

Should I replace my water heater?

Other brands in this group

Parts that help it last

Check your model and size before you buy. Amazon links are affiliate links: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Keep a record of your home

The age you just looked up is the kind of fact that gets lost. A written record of serial numbers, install dates, repairs and who did the work saves the next owner, inspector or insurer from guessing.

Keep This With the House

A lifetime logbook for the house, organized by system, with room for serial numbers, install dates, repairs and contractors. It stays with the house for the next owner.

Paperback

The House Has Old Pipes

Galvanized, polybutylene, cast iron and the sewer line: what fails, what it costs, what insurance won't cover and how to decide.

Paperback · Kindle

The House Is Fifty Years Old

A buyer's guide to older homes: wiring, pipes, lead, asbestos, insurance refusals and what the repairs actually cost.

Paperback · Kindle

Book links are Amazon affiliate links.