We use our “hot tap” all of the time, so when it breaks we feel lost without it. Nothing lasts forever but if you consider the environment the units are located in and the conditions, things are going to get worn out and break. The units are usually located in a small cupboard, under a sink in warm, humid conditions. They are well insulated but boil the water, trap the heat in to keep the water warm but that extra heat tries to go somewhere. So eventually a seal or plastic part gives up. This is our second replacement to the original one and I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another one. They each have lasted between 6 and 7 years. Ours gets used multiple times per day, every day.