Replacing a water heater that still works

[Michael L.]

Just curious if anyone has done this. On my latest rental, the water heater is original, installed in 1997 (contractor's grade, nothing special). I anticipate it will go at some point, and now that I'm in there doing work I am considering just throwing a new one in to decrease my chance of getting called on it later (and dealing with an emergent situation at higher cost and inconvenience).

Thoughts?