Routine Water Heater Maintenance

TIps extending the life and performance of your waterheater

Every day you enjoy that nice hot shower or you wash your dishes in hot water or keep your clothes fresh and clean in hot water.  Hot water is used all year long and we do not give where it comes from much thought.  Often, we do not think much about our hot water heater until something goes wrong and hot water can no longer be accessed.  It is important to do some basic maintenance throughout the year to keep the hot water heater not only running properly but also to extend the life of the hot water heater.

·       Gas or Electric?

o   First thing is first, you need to determine if your hot water heater is gas or electric.  Read the labels on your hot water heater to determine whether or not it is gas or electric.  If there is a pilot light, it is gas.  It is important to know this because you need to completely turn off your hot water heater before beginning any work.

·       Drain the Tank

o   Attach a hose to the drain at the bottom of the tank and place a bucket underneath.  Drain the water from the tank 2-4 times per year to remove sediment and debris.  This will allow the hot water heater to run properly and will help extend the overall life of the heater

·       Check the Anode Rod

o   Checking the anode rod of your water heater is as important as draining the water heater tank.  This Old House explains the importance of checking the anode rod, ” Put a hose to the tank’s drain cock and let out a few gallons of water. Now fit a 1 1/16-inch socket onto the rod’s hex head on top of the heater (or under its top plate) and unscrew the rod. If it’s less than ½inch thick or coated with calcium, buy a new one, wrap its threads with Teflon tape, put it back in the tank, and tighten securely. Use this segmented rod if headroom above the tank is limited.”

·       Insulate the Heater

o   You can insulate the hot water heater with a fiberglass jacket to improve efficiency.  This is particularly effective for older hot water heaters that may be losing their efficiency.

·       Set the Temperature

o   For optimum energy efficiency, it is important to keep your hot water heater set at 120 degrees Fahrenheit, or below.  By setting your hot water heater any higher than that, you increase the risk of accidental scalding and injury.  Water will still run incredibly warm if you keep the temperature below 120 degrees and you may even save some money on your energy bills.