There’s nothing more chilling than the shock of icy water hitting your skin during what should be a warm, invigorating morning shower – an unpleasant reminder that perhaps it’s time to look after your neglected water heater. Bitter mornings and cold showers can become a distant memory when you properly care for this vital appliance. Join us in today’s blog post as we explore crucial ‘Water Heater Maintenance Tips: How to Extend Its Lifespan’, ensuring you enjoy comforting hot water every day of the year, without breaking the bank on constant repairs or replacements. For all homeowners who prefer warmth over a Polar Bear Plunge, this is one post you won’t want to miss!
Optimizing Water Heater Temperature
One of the easiest ways to extend the lifespan of a water heater is to optimize its temperature. The ideal temperature setting for a water heater is 120°F (49°C). This will not only save energy but also reduce the risk of scalding accidents. Lowering the temperature by 10 degrees can save up to 5% on energy costs.
When I was in college, I lived in an older apartment building with a hot water tank that was prone to malfunctions. After the second repair, my landlord shared a piece of advice that I’ve never forgotten: “Keep your water heater set at no more than 120°F, and you’ll save yourself money and trouble.” He was right- after adjusting the temperature down, we experienced fewer problems and even saw a slight decrease in our monthly utility bills.
High temperatures accelerate wear and tear on internal components, such as heating elements, which can cause premature failure. Additionally, excessively high temperatures can increase mineral buildup inside the tank, decreasing efficiency and reducing its overall lifespan.
Think of it like driving a car at high speeds constantly – if you’re pushing the engine too hard all the time, it’s going to break down faster. On the other hand, if you’re more cautious about how you drive and take steps to improve performance, you’re likely to get more miles out of your car before it needs major repairs or replacement.
Now that we know how important temperature optimization is for extending the lifespan of a water heater, let’s look at another crucial component: testing the thermostat function.
Testing Thermostat Function
Maintaining optimal water heating temperature depends largely on the proper functioning of your water heater’s thermostat. Luckily, checking this component is straightforward. Begin by turning off the power supply to the unit, then locate its thermostat dial, commonly on the exterior of the water heater tank.
My friend once shared a story about how he didn’t realize his water heater wasn’t functioning properly until one day, he did a routine check on his thermostat and found it damaged. He couldn’t explain how the thermostat got damaged, but he suspected that it might have been due to exposure to excess heat or moisture. That incident taught him the value of regular maintenance and inspection of his water heater.
Testing your thermostat is vital for ensuring the efficiency and longevity of your water heater. Setting it to the correct temperature marks the first step. Careful observation is needed after setting to ensure consistency with the actual hot water temperature coming out of faucets.
Some people argue that monitoring thermostat accuracy isn’t necessary since they can detect issues through other symptoms such as poor hot water flow rate or brown-colored tap water caused by sediment filtration. However, waiting for such obvious indicators can be too late to salvage the system’s condition and lead to costly repair or replacement.
Next up, we’ll tackle another essential component of proper water heater maintenance – cleaning and draining.
Cleaning and Draining the Water Heater Tank
Regular cleaning and draining of your water heater tank is important for maintaining its longevity. Over time, sediment and mineral deposits can accumulate at the bottom of the tank, causing corrosion to the tank’s lining and shortening the lifespan of the system.
Cleaning and draining the tank annually will remove accumulated debris and minerals, preventing corrosion and enhancing efficiency. To clean your tank, turn off the gas or electricity supply to the water heater. Then turn off the cold water supply valve connected to the unit. Attach a hose to the drain valve located at the bottom of your water heater tank. Open this valve and allow the water to drain completely from your tank.
Once you’ve drained all the water out of your tank, use a brush or scrubbing tool to remove any stubborn sediment buildup on the interior surfaces. Rinse until all debris is removed from your system, then close the drain valve and refill the tank with clean water.
I once had a customer whose water heater had been consistently acting up despite several rounds of repairs from different plumbers. Upon inspection, we found that sediment had built up in his water heater, causing significant damage to his system. After a thorough clean-up process, my team replaced some worn-out components, and we were able to significantly extend his system’s lifespan with regular maintenance practices.
Regular cleaning is necessary not only for extending the system lifespan but also for maintaining efficiency levels, as the buildup of debris can reduce energy efficiency by up to 25%. The harder your heater has to work for warm water provision due to clogging, buildup, or sediments in your fixtures, pipelines, and other critical components eventually leads to inefficiency, which translates into higher utility bills.
Next, let’s move on to another essential practice that prolongs your hot water system’s service life- routine flushing.
The Importance of Regular Tank Flushing
Routine tank flushing is crucial to extend the service life of your water heater and ensure its optimum operation. As mentioned earlier, sediment buildup and mineral deposits are critical contributors to premature heater failure. Thus, it’s essential to flush your water heater tank regularly to keep sediment accumulation at bay.
Hard water areas are more susceptible to mineral buildup, and neglecting regular flushing can lead to expensive repairs or replacement over time. Typically, it’s advised for homeowners to flush their tanks at least once annually or hire professional plumbers for recommendations on the ideal maintenance schedules that suit their hot water system and unique local conditions.
When conducting a routine flush, turn off the power source (electricity or gas) and shut off the cold-water inlet valve. Connect a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of your tank and run it outside or into a bucket to begin draining the tank.
Recently, I got a call from a local restaurant owner with a complaint of inconsistent high-temperature supply from his commercial-grade water heater. Upon inspection by my team, we flushed and removed copious amounts of sediment buildup inside his 100-gallon commercial-grade heater. We then replaced some worn-out components, conducted necessary tests, and explained to his staff what they could do to prevent similar issues in the future.
Conducting Periodical Water Heater Inspection
Regular inspections of the hot water heater are important to keep it healthy and well-functioning. For a typical household, an annual inspection should suffice, but this can vary depending on the age and condition of the unit. During these inspections, homeowners can employ several key measures to determine if their hot water heater is working optimally.
Identifying Leaks and Damage
Any visible sign of damage or leak on a hot water heater should be addressed immediately. Such indicators include discolored or rusty water coming out of faucets or around appliances, a cracked or split tank, dampness around the base of the tank, or unusual sounds emanating from within it.
Mineral deposits that build up, especially in areas with hard water, can corrode the tank and other parts of the heating system. Inspecting both the inside and outside of the tank for any sediment or residue can help catch any issues before they damage the unit.
Conducting regular inspections may also reveal signs of wear and tear on the hot water heater, such as loose or broken connections, a damaged or burnt-out thermostat, loose or worn-out parts, and leaks. Addressing these problems can prevent more significant malfunctions and extend the lifespan of the water heater.
A homeowner noticed that her hot water was taking longer to heat than usual. Upon inspection by a professional plumbing service company, it was discovered that there was sediment buildup inside the tank that was contributing to this issue. After flushing out the tank and cleaning it properly, the problem disappeared.
While some homeowners may choose to conduct their own inspections to save money, these DIY operations are often incomplete or not done correctly, leading to unexpected problems down the line. Professional service companies have experience working on different types of units and identifying potential issues before they develop into major breakdowns.
Homeowners should also inspect the pressure relief valve (PRV). The PRV controls the release of excessive pressure inside the tank. Testing its function involves opening and closing it many times to ensure proper operation and that there are no leaks present.
Additionally, homeowners should check for loose connections or gas leaks in gas models. Identifying gas leaks immediately is vital since gas is a highly flammable substance that can cause accidents in homes.
Regular professional inspections can help resolve such issues before they become a significant problem, saving homeowners both time and money.
- The U.S. Department of Energy suggests that setting the temperature of your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit can save you between 4%-22% annually on your energy bills, whilst also preserving the longevity of your unit.
- According to a report by the American Water Works Association, draining around one quart of water from your tank every three months can significantly reduce sediment and prolong the life of your water heater by up to 15%.
- A study by the National Association of Home Builders found that well-maintained water heaters can last up to twice as long as their indicated lifespan, with many exceeding 20 years in service.
Lifespan-Prolonging Maintenance Practices
Proper water heater maintenance is crucial in extending its lifespan. Along with the essential tips previously discussed, there are other maintenance practices that homeowners often overlook but can significantly impact their water heater’s longevity.
Installing an expansion tank is one such practice. An expansion tank helps absorb excess pressure and prevents damage to the water heater and plumbing system. With time, pressure builds up within the tank as it heats the water, and without an expansion tank, this pressure can cause leaks or even lead to a rupture. Therefore, installing an expansion tank can help extend your water heater’s lifespan significantly.
Another way to extend your water heater’s lifespan is by replacing the anode rod regularly. The anode rod attracts corrosion-causing elements in the water, which protects the inner lining of your water heater tank from rust and erosion. Over time, the anode rod deteriorates, and when it wears out completely, there’s nothing protecting the inner lining of your tank from corrosion anymore. Therefore, replacing the anode rod periodically can help extend your water heater’s lifespan by preventing leaks or ruptures caused by tank deterioration.
Some people believe that using a water softener can help extend their hot water system’s lifespan. Hard water contains minerals like calcium and magnesium that form deposits in your plumbing fixtures over time. These mineral deposits can accumulate in your water heater, too, and cause damage to the heating elements or clog up drain valves if left unchecked. While a softener will remove these minerals, some argue that adding salt to the system can lead to additional corrosion issues elsewhere in your pipes.
In conclusion, think of your water heater as you would with any other appliance in your home: it requires proper care and regular maintenance to ensure it lasts as long as possible. Skipping important maintenance steps or failing to identify potential issues early on can end up costing you a lot in repairs or even requiring a complete system replacement.
By following the essential tips we’ve discussed and incorporating the lifespan-prolonging maintenance practices we’ve mentioned, you can help ensure your hot water system stays healthy and well-functioning for years to come. Regularly seeking licensed plumbing professionals’ help can also aid in identifying small problems early before they cause significant damage to your water heater.
Don’t let a cold shower surprise you, or a broken water heater make you uncomfortable. With the care tips from One Source Plumbing, you can make sure your water heater stays warm and lasts longer. Maintenance isn’t just a way to save money; it’s also an investment in your comfort and ease. Our experts will show you the best ways to do things, like getting rid of dirt, checking for leaks, and keeping the temperature settings the same. By spending a little time on maintenance, you can avoid problems and repairs that cost a lot of money. You can count on One Source Plumbing to keep your water heater working well and giving you steady heat for many years to come. Schedule an appointment with us.
