Material decision card
Tank Water Heater
Conventional storage heater. Cheapest to install and simplest to swap, with the shortest service life of any water heating option.
Verified August 2026
Is tank water heater worth it?
8–12 year service life
Best for: Straight like-for-like replacement on a failed heater. Maintenance is low and durability rates 3/5.
Decision card
| Service life | 8–12 years |
|---|---|
| Maintenance | Low |
| Durability | 3 / 5 |
| DIY difficulty | 4 / 5 (5 = hardest) |
| Warranty | 6-12 year tank |
| Relative installed cost | 100% of the typical job |
Climate suitability
Only the exposures that actually change this material's performance.
Shortens its life: Flood zone exposure