Tips for Keeping your Water Heater in Top Shape All Summer Long

Water heaters perform an important role in the home day after day. Yet, water heating systems are typically given little thought until something goes wrong. With basic care tips, you can help your water heater perform more efficiently and last years longer.

Preventive Maintenance

• The best strategy to take to ensure your water heating system stays in top shape involves preventive maintenance, efficient operating tips and reducing usage and heating load.
• Sediment accumulation is the primary source for water heater troubles. Minerals and debris in the water form solids under high tank temperatures. The solids sink to the bottom of the tank, and cause problems for heating efficiency.
• Flush about a gallon of water from the tank every two months. Make absolutely sure that you use flush water from the drain valve located at the bottom of the tank — not the Pressure Relief Valve (PRV) at the top of the tank.
• Include professional water heating maintenance each year with furnace maintenance. If you take care of your water heater, you will enjoy lower water heating bills, and avoid unnecessary repairs and storage tank failures.

Operating Tips

• Check hot water temperature with a thermometer at the most distant hot-water tap. The temperature should not be above 120 degrees. Adjust the water heater’s thermostat as necessary. Higher temperatures also expedite tank corrosion.
• Turn your water heater OFF when you leave home for a getaway longer than 48 hours.
• Do not use hot water from the tap for cooking. Heat water on the stove.

Reduce Heating Load

• Install low-flow faucets and shower heads throughout your home.
• Wrap all hot water pipes with insulation sleeves. You’ll be surprised how much this helps you receive hot water faster at the tap and bath, and the water will be hotter (which lets you turn down the water heating temperature even more to save energy).

For more tips on how to keep your water heater in top shape, contact Sobieski Services. Our goal is to help educate our customers in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC & plumbing systems).

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