The last thing you want to happen at home is a water heater problem. Your household relies on it for showers, laundry, dish cleanup, and more, and not having hot water can be truly disruptive. Keeping an eye on the water heater and making sure things are running correctly should be on your list of household to-dos. Want to know more? Keep reading for all things water heater maintenance.
Why You Should Do Regular Maintenance
Your water heater is an essential part of life at home, and to keep it running efficiently, it needs to be maintained. Sure, it’s inconvenient to wait for repairs, but there are other benefits to be regularly maintained.
- Longer lifespan
- Lower energy costs
- Better efficiency
- Prevents future problems
How to Do Water Heater Maintenance
To get the most out of your machine, there are several things you can do yourself or with the help of professionals. Here are some simple tasks that will help.
Check the Temperature
Adjusting the temperature on your water heater occasionally will help you conserve energy, which helps your wallet as much as the environment. In fact, lowering the temperature by just 10 degrees could save you around 5%! You may have to do some regular adjusting to find a temperature that works for the household and the electricity bill.
Generally, you should not set your water heater temperature above 120 degrees.
Clear the Area
As your water heater does its job, you’ll see that the heater itself gets hot. To prevent damage, malfunctions, or breakdowns, always make sure that the area around the heater is clear. The recommended clearance area is two feet, so while you may be tempted to store cleaning supplies or laundry items nearby, don’t. Your unit needs plenty of airflow around it to work properly. If it’s too crowded, it could become overworked and see a shorter lifespan.
Flush the Unit
Lots of homes have what is referred to as “hard water.” It is water that has a high concentration of minerals. Hard water can be difficult to wash with and leaves a film residue on water fixtures. That same residue can build up inside your water heater, and if it isn’t cleaned out regularly, you’ll see that the unit isn’t able to hold as much water. Even if you don’t have hard water, sediment can build up in the unit in the same way and prevent your tank from filling.
Best Plumbing & Heating in Stoneham, MA
Keeping your water heater running as it should might require the help of professionals. Experts like those at Elite Plumbing and Heating, Inc. will help make sure your system is well-maintained and in good working condition. So give us a call today for maintenance or repairs. 781-438-2997
