When should I replace my water heater? Is it prudent to consider the age of the unit, perhaps an arbitrary number of years, as the sole indicator of its efficacy? Or should one delve deeper into the intricacies of its performance? As a crucial appliance in our daily lives, water heaters are expected to provide a consistent supply of hot water. However, could there be subtle signs indicating their impending failure? For instance, is there an unusual increase in energy bills that might suggest inefficiency? What about strange noises emanating from the unit, or leaks that seem to appear out of nowhere? Are there specific maintenance records or warning signs that one ought to vigilantly monitor? As one contemplates this decision, how do the varying types of heaters—tank, tankless, or solar—impact the longevity and reliability of the unit in question? Ultimately, could delaying the replacement lead to more significant issues down the line?