Back in the spring we asked a pretty simple question: how old is your water heater? We had a hunch there were some real veterans still running quietly in basements around Baltimore County and Howard County, and we wanted to find the oldest one and replace it for free.
Entries came in from March through June, and we announced the winner on July 1. Some of you are getting truly impressive mileage out of your equipment. But one entry stood out right away.
A Water Heater Older Than Its Owner
Brittany Alms of Catonsville sent in a photo of a Rheem Tri-Power that had been installed on March 22, 1995. That is 31 years of hot water out of one tank. It was also, as Brittany happily pointed out, older than she is.
Honestly, the tank itself is what won us over. Someone had written the install date right on the jacket in marker, along with service notes and a reminder to drain it every month. The original BGE service record was still taped to the side. Thirty-one years of history, written on a water heater.
Brittany had never worked with us before. She came across the contest online, entered, and that was that.
Why It Was Time
A 31-year run is genuinely impressive. Most tank water heaters last somewhere between 8 and 12 years, so this one had more than doubled that. But once our team got a close look, the age was showing.
The connections up top were corroded, and the installation predated a good bit of what current code asks for. It was still working. It was just working on borrowed time.
Installation Day
Our technicians pulled the old unit and set a new AO Smith ProLine in its place. Because the original install dated back to 1995, this was more involved than a straight swap. We replaced the venting, added a proper expansion tank, and updated the connections so the whole setup meets current code.
That part matters more than it might sound. Bringing an older installation up to current code is what keeps a water heater safe to run, and it is not a step worth skipping.
Thirty-One Years, Side by Side
New one on the left, the 1995 Rheem on the right. You can still read the handwriting on the old tank.
What Brittany Had to Say
Amazing!!!!! I was the winner of the free water heater and they did such a great job and were easy to work with!! They did everything to bring it up to code and ensure it was safe! And now I have a new water heater completely for free!! So happy! The guys were super nice and scheduling was very easy. I’m still shocked it’s real 🙂
Brittany A., Catonsville, MD
Reviews like that are the reason we ran this in the first place.
How Old Is Your Water Heater?
Go take a look. Most tanks have the manufacture date printed on the label, and if not, you can usually work it out from the serial number. If yours is past the ten year mark, it is worth keeping an eye on.
A few things worth watching for:
- Water that takes longer to heat, or runs out sooner than it used to
- Rusty or discolored hot water
- Rumbling or popping sounds coming from the tank
- Moisture, rust, or water pooling around the base
- Fittings and connections that look corroded
None of these mean you need a replacement tomorrow. They do mean it is a good time to have someone take a look, before the tank decides the timing for you. You can read more on our water heater services page.
Thank you to everyone who entered. Every entry came with a $100 off voucher toward a new water heater, so if you still have yours, it is good to use. And congratulations again to Brittany.
Wondering how much life yours has left?
Metcalf Plumbing has been taking care of homes in Catonsville, Ellicott City, Columbia, and throughout Baltimore County and Howard County for a long time. If your water heater is getting up there in years, or you just want an honest read on where it stands, we are happy to take a look.