Regular maintenance is essential for keeping your hot water heater in good condition. It also helps make sure you’re using as little energy as possible. Since water heaters account for 20% of your overall home energy use, it’s important to take what steps you can to conserve.
Here’s how to maintain your hot water heater and how N.E.T.R., Inc. can help.
What’s The Proper Maintenance For A Hot Water Heater?
Protecting your hot water heater investment starts with the right maintenance. If you have an electric or gas hot water heater, you need to:
Have Your Tank Inspected & Flushed Annually
Residential water often has a lot of minerals in it, which can build up on the inside of your water heater tank. This ends up becoming sediment, which can shorten the lifespan of your heater and reduce the quality of your water.
You should have a qualified water heater technician inspect and flush your tank every year to remove sediment and make sure the heating element isn’t corroded and that everything is working properly. If you have very hard water in your area, you may have to have your tank flushed every six months or as recommended by your technician.
Test & Lower The Temperature Of Your Water
Whether you have a gas, electric, or tankless hot water heater, high temperature settings cause more wear and tear on your equipment.
Consider testing the temperature of your water with a thermometer and reducing the setting by a few degrees. This can help protect the heating element, tank interior, and other critical components from damage over time.
Insulate Your Tank
Insulating your tank-style water heater is also an important step to cut your energy costs and protect the lifespan of your tank. You can cut ambient heat loss by as much as 45% by simply using a water heater blanket or insulation jacket.
Most of these cost between $20 to $50, making them an affordable way to save on heating expenses. The Department of Energy estimates that tank insulation can save between 7% to 16% in annual water heating costs, so the jacket pays for itself in about a year. Then, the rest of what you save is just a gain.
Most Common Water Heater Problems
Unfortunately, even the best water heaters are prone to sediment buildup, leaks, and other common but disruptive problems. Here are some of the most frequent issues we see and how to mitigate them.
Water Leaks
Tank-style water heaters are prone to water leaks simply by design. This is because they hold large amounts of water in a small space, which puts a lot of pressure on gaskets, valves, and other components.
Sometimes leaks can be fixed by just tightening a valve, while others require replacement of the entire heater. Hot water heater leaks can be dangerous, especially if the problem is caused by a malfunctioning pressure relief valve. In this case, water pressure continues to build up, potentially resulting in an explosion if the situation isn’t addressed quickly.
Dirty Water
If you notice that your water has turned a slight yellow or brown color, or you see debris in your water that sinks to the bottom, this could be a sign your tank needs to be flushed.
As the interior of the tank corrodes over time, rust and minerals get into your water. These come out in the form of particles that look like dirt as the water is used. Or, your water might look discolored or stained. This is most likely the case if your water is clear when you run only cold water.
No Hot Water
If your water heater is full but your water isn’t hot, there could be a problem with the heating element. Both gas and electric hot water heaters can experience this issue, which often requires replacement of a burnt-out element or the whole heater.
When To Call A Professional Hot Water Heater Technician
If you’re having problems with your hot water heater, or you just need to get on top of your annual maintenance, N.E.T.R., Inc. can help. Our experienced gas, electric, and tankless hot water heater technicians will come to your home to assess your equipment and recommend any maintenance or repairs that are needed.
