Water heater Care And Maintenance – Plumbing Repairs And Plumbing Information
Your water heater is one rather used and more expensive appliances in your home, and consumes a large portion of your energy dollars each month. And experts say regular care and maintenance is essential to protecting your investment and saving around the home heating and energy costs.
Regular flushing of one’s water heater is considered the single most important step you get to prolong its service life this particular save energy. A duration of time, sediments amass in the bottom of your hot water heater. These sediments act as a barrier between the flame and the tank, thereby making your heater burn longer and hotter. This is not merely destructive to the tank, but highly inefficient and will significantly raise your heating costs.
In most regarding the country, the average water heater lasts 3-5 years. Regularly flushing your hot water heater can double lifestyle of your water heater from 3-5 to 7-10 years. And with the costs of replacement running from $700 to over $1200 in some cases, getting the most out of your heater is critical in today’s economic condition. In addition, regular flushing makes your water heater run more efficiently and can cut heating costs fifty percent. Depending on the volume of hot water your home uses, that can mean a savings of $20 to over $50 a month or so.
To drain your water heater, initially you should set the thermostat to pilot (if it is really a gas water heater) or turn the circuit breaker off (if it can be an electric heater). Failure to do so could result in overheating and severe damage to the water heater. Next, close the water supply valve located on a water inlet line going into your water heater. After backing up connect a hose to the drain valve located at the base of the heater. Open the drain and allow it to run until all for the water has emptied from the unit. Then close the drain. Open the water supply valve and refill the hot water heater. You should also open a hot water faucet somewhere indoors and stand there and watch it run for several minutes until the actual flows out quietly. This will allow air to vent inside heater and the hot water lines. Finally, you can turn the thermostat to its regular setting (for a gas heater), or turn the circuit breakers back on (for an electric heater).
Besides regularly flushing your water heater, plumbing experts also advise adding a water treatment system to your dwelling to filter or condition the water so may be less corrosive to your plumbing system, particularly in areas which have hard water. For more ways to care for and protect your home plumbing system, contact a licensed, professional plumbing contractor in your area to discuss options and products to provide what you need.
Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical
The Woodlands, TX
(281) 528-1610
