Your water heater is one that is used and much more costly appliances in your home, and consumes a large regarding your energy dollars each month. And experts say regular care and maintenance is essential to protecting your investment and saving around the home heating as well as costs.
Regular flushing of your water heater is probably the single most important step you can take to prolong its service life additionally, you will save energy. In a period of time, sediments strengthen in the bottom of your 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 only destructive to the tank, but highly inefficient and will significantly raise your heating costs.
In most regions of the country, the normal water heater lasts 3-5 years. Regularly flushing your hot water heater can double the life of your water heater from 3-5 to 7-10 years. Something else costs of replacement running from $700 to over $1200 in some cases, getting the most out of your heater is a must 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.
To drain your water heater, which will help should set the thermostat to pilot (if it is a gas water heater) or turn the circuit breaker off (if it is electric heater). Failure to do so could result in overheating and severe damage to the actual heater. Next, close the water supply valve located over the water inlet line going into your water heater. You may then connect a hose to the drain valve located at the base of the hot water heater. Open the drain and allow it to run until all of the water has emptied from the air conditioner. Then close the drain. Open the water supply valve and refill the hot water heater. You should also open a hot water faucet somewhere inside and stand there and watch it run for several minutes until water flows out quickly. This will allow air to vent off of the heater and the 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 property to filter or condition the water so is certainly 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 neighborhood to discuss options and products to work for you.
Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical
The Woodlands, TX
(281) 528-1610