Homeowners face costly emergency water heater failures with no clear replacement timeline

Homeowners with aging water heaters (7-12 years old) struggle with the decision of whether to replace proactively or risk catastrophic failure that leaves them without hot water and facing emergency repair costs 2-3x higher than planned replacement. Current solutions fail because homeowners lack clear guidance on their specific unit's remaining lifespan, making the decision feel like gambling with their comfort and budget.