Posted: February 23, 2026

Who Fixes Water Heaters?

Our Team Is Standing by To Handle Repairs, Replacements and More

The typical American household uses between 60 and 65 gallons of hot water a day for bathing and showering, washing dishes, laundry, cleaning and other tasks. Obviously, there’s never a convenient moment for your water heater to quit—but as a Roberts Energy customer, you know we have an experienced team ready to restore your hot water quickly and get your home back to normal with as little disruption as possible.

With local technicians on call 24/7 in Brattleboro, Bridport, Fairfax, Grand Isle, and surrounding Vermont communities, help is always close by to handle everything from urgent repairs and routine maintenance to full system replacements.

Repair or Replace?

If your water heater is fairly new, a problem with a valve or the thermostat is a routine and generally inexpensive repair. However, replacing an old water heater makes more financial sense than repairing it. That’s because today’s high-efficiency water heaters will save you money in the long run.

The life expectancy for a conventional water heater with a tank is between 8 and 10 years. Not sure how old your unit is? It’s easy to check its age. Just look for the serial number on the manufacturer’s sticker. The first letter in the serial number corresponds to its month of production; the first two numbers is the year of production. For example, if the serial number on your water heater is H102738598, the “H” is the eighth letter in the alphabet and corresponds to August, the eighth month. The “10” stands for the year. So, your water heater was manufactured in August of 2010.

As your water heater gets older, you’ll notice it just doesn’t work as well as it did just a few years ago. You’ll see higher energy bills, or water not getting as hot. There’s no real fix, and it’s a good indication that bigger problems will follow.

Trouble Signs

Beyond age, there are a few signs that it might be time to replace your water heater.

Rust in your hot water is a big danger sign. It means that your water heater is corroding. Corrosion can lead to a tank failure, and all the hassle and expense that goes with it.

If you notice water around the base of your water tank, the likely culprit is a leak—also a big sign of corrosion. Turn off the tank’s water supply and contact us right away for an inspection of your water heater.

Consider Going Tankless

If you think the time to replace your water heater has come, consider upgrading to a tankless system. Tankless water heaters (also known as demand water heaters) instantly heat water when you need it, rather than keeping a large tank hot all the time. Imagine having virtually unlimited hot water, while seeing lower fuel bills!

There are a lot of benefits to going tankless:

• With no storage tank, a tankless water heater is small – even whole-house sizes take considerably less room than a 55-gallon tank. Most are about the size of a suitcase. It can also be wall-mounted, which means a tankless water heater can be placed just about anywhere in the house, including closets and other spaces that may be warmer than the basement or garage.
• Tankless water heaters save energy by instantly heating water when you need it, rather than keeping a large tank hot all the time—especially if your tank is prone to getting cold. All that efficiency means you’ll also save money by lowering your energy costs by as much as 40%.
• Traditional tank-type water heaters can fall short if you use a lot of hot water at once. Tankless water heaters use an electric pilot and a hot propane flame to heat water instantly on demand. There’s no tank, so it can’t hit empty.
• Tankless water heaters also last longer. The primary culprit in the limited lifespan of a conventional tank-style water heater is the corrosive water stored in its tank. Because it doesn’t store water, a tankless water heater will last 18 to 20 years instead of 8 to 10 years.

Ready to Learn More?

You don’t want to wait for your water heater to fail to replace it: Like other essential equipment in your home, such as your refrigerator, you don’t want to go long without it.

If you think it’s time, let the pros at Roberts Energy help you improve your energy efficiency and comfort with a new water heater! We’ll help you understand your options and find the best option for your home and your needs. Contact us today.