A city built mostly in one decade
US Census Bureau American Community Survey five-year estimates place the median Herriman home in 2013. About 91 percent of the housing stock was built in 2000 or later, and roughly half of it was built between 2010 and 2019. Only a sliver of Herriman homes predates 1990.
When that much of a city goes up in one burst, the equipment inside it ages in step. Houses finished in the same years usually received water heaters, furnaces and condensers of similar age, so the first replacement wave tends to arrive across a neighborhood at once rather than one house at a time.
What reaches the end of its life first in a Herriman home
Copper or PEX supply lines are typical in homes of this age, and they are not usually the first thing to go. What wears out first is what runs every day.
- The original tank water heater, which commonly lasts around a decade
- Fill valves, flappers and faucet cartridges that start dripping or running
- Furnace parts that work hardest through long, cold Utah winters
- Air conditioners that have carried a decade of hot, dry summers
Getting ahead of the replacement wave
A failure on the coldest week of winter or the hottest week of summer leaves few options. Deciding early lets you pick the equipment you want instead of the one that is available that day.
- Find the install date on the labels of your water heater, furnace and air conditioner.
- List anything that is noisy, leaking, short cycling or slower than it used to be.
- Decide what you would choose next: tank, tankless or heat pump water heater, and furnace, heat pump or both.
- Book the replacement for a mild stretch of weather before the old unit forces the timing.
Choosing a different system the second time around
A first replacement is the natural moment to reconsider what the builder chose. A heat pump can handle both heating and cooling, and Rocket notes it is a good match for homes with solar. A heat pump water heater is another option for households that want to change how they make hot water. If one floor or a bonus room never matches the thermostat, a mini-split can fix that temperature swing on its own.
Water quality and permitted projects
Hard water is common in the Salt Lake Valley, and scale shortens the life of the water heaters and fixtures Herriman homes are now replacing. Check your water supplier’s published water quality report for your own reading, and see the guide on Salt Lake City hard water for how to interpret it. A softener or filtration system can then be sized to what the report shows.
Newer yards often become the next project. For custom work such as a gas line to an outdoor kitchen or a backyard gazebo with a gas grill, Rocket pulls the permits and the city inspects the work, so the result is safe and to code.
Frequently asked questions
Why are so many of my Herriman neighbors replacing water heaters at once?
Because much of the city was built in the same few years. Water heaters installed together tend to wear out together, and a tank model commonly lasts around a decade.
Should I replace my furnace and air conditioner at the same time?
Sometimes it makes sense, sometimes not. If both are original and one is failing, it is worth comparing a matched replacement with a single swap, or looking at a heat pump that handles both jobs.
Do I need a permit for a gas line to my backyard?
New gas work generally requires a permit and inspection. On custom projects Rocket pulls the permits and the city inspects. Confirm the specifics for your address with the Herriman building department.
Is a heat pump a good fit if I have solar panels?
It can be. A heat pump runs on electricity, so homes with solar can offset some of that use. Your roof, panel output and comfort goals all factor in.
