Water heaters are an integral aspect of modern quality of life. A water heater is also a significant expenditure. Extending the lifespan while maintaining strong energy efficiency is imperative to maximizing that investment. Let’s explore recommendations from professional plumbers to get the most out of your water heater.
Schedule Annual Maintenance
Many homeowners take a break-fix approach to their water heaters, which can be a big mistake. Many water heater warranties require routine professional maintenance. A manufacturer can deny your claim without proof of that service. Scheduling an annual inspection will also save you money over the life of the equipment. Our plumber can perform any required maintenance. As needed, we can recommend preventative repairs as well.
Lower the Temperature
The factory setting for many water heaters is 60 degrees Celsius, which is higher than most households need. Many plumbers recommend setting it to 49 degrees instead. The water will be adequately hot for showers and doing the dishes. There’s much less risk of scalding. Your water heater will cost less to run. There will also be less wear and tear on the components, which results in lower maintenance and repair costs.
The reason manufacturers set their water heaters to 60 degrees is the bacteria Legionella. It causes Legionnaires’ disease. There is virtually no risk when setting a fuel-fired water heater to 49 degrees. There is more but limited risk with electric heaters in private homes. Homeowners should discuss this matter with a local medical professional. You may also want to consider a smart water heater. Many of these smart systems can increase the temperature to 60 degrees briefly once a day, often overnight. They will maintain the water at 49 degrees the rest of the time.
Benefit From Vacation Mode
Whenever you’ll be away from home for over 48 hours, put the system in vacation mode. This mode reduces water temperature to a minimal level. It will save you on energy costs and equipment wear and tear. If your system lacks a vacation mode, adjust the thermostat to the lowest temperature it supports.
Perform a Monthly Visual Inspection
A professional inspection at least once a year is important. Homeowners should also perform a visual inspection themselves at least once a month. Inspect both the water lines and gas lines. Look for any excess condensation at the top of the water heater. Monitor for signs of leakage at the base and near valves. Remove any clutter from around the water heater. That includes dust but also flammables, such as newspaper and cloth. Test the temperature pressure relief (TPR) valve by lifting it three times. Water should come out and drain into the line. If water doesn’t come or doesn’t drain easily, you should schedule a professional inspection right away.
Track Your Energy Consumption
Modern water heaters are highly efficient, but they’re also sensitive. The slightest malfunction can undermine efficiency and cause your operating costs to rise. Increased electricity or fuel consumption is often the first indication of a water heater problem. We encourage homeowners to monitor their usage month to month and year to year. By doing so, you’ll have the data to notice a spike in usage and will know to call us for an inspection.
Replace the Sacrificial Anode Rod
All water heaters are susceptible to water hardness, which refers to the level of calcium and magnesium in the water. Even if you have moderately hard water, it will build up over time. It accumulates on tank walls, heating elements, and other components. Tank water heaters have an anode rod that slows this process by attracting minerals. The industry calls it a sacrificial component because we expect part failure within several years on average. When you schedule an annual inspection, our plumber will check the rod. When your current rod nears the failure point, we’ll cut a new anode rod to size and install it in your system.
Flush and Drain the System
We recommend flushing tank and tankless water heaters once a year. Draining a tank water heater allows us to remove most of the sediment and limescale that’s built up. We’ll do this by connecting a hose to the drain valve. Once the tank has completely emptied, we’ll refill the unit and turn it back on. With tankless water heaters, we use a recirculating pump to cycle water through the system. This process takes about 45 minutes and cleans the components.
Descale a Tankless Water Heater
You can’t flush a tankless water heater, but you can descale it. The process is similar to what we described above. The difference is we’ll use vinegar or, in some cases, a stronger cleaning agent. This will remove any limescale that has built up on the tankless water heater components. How often we need to do this depends on your water hardness. Some homeowners will only need to descale every five years or so. Those with hard to very hard water will need to do it annually or even twice a year.
Install a Descaler or Water Softener
If you do have hard to very hard water, consider installing additional equipment to deal with it. It will lower your operating costs, extend the system lifespan, and reduce how often you need to descale. The most affordable solution is a point-of-use descaler for your water heater. If hard water is affecting all your pipes, fixtures, and appliances, opt for a water softener instead. A water softener is a point-of-entry system that will provide soft water throughout your entire home.
Don’t Ignore Unusual Noises
Modern water heaters are virtually silent. You’ll probably be able to hear it refilling if you stand next to it. Any louder signs are cause for concern. They’re often caused by limescale accumulation or other issues with pressure or temperature in the tank. These can include banging, popping, screeching, and whistling.
Insulate the Tank
With all water heaters, you should insulate the exposed input and output water lines. This will increase the efficiency of the system. Fuel-fired water heaters generally don’t need any insulation beyond that. Electric water heaters can benefit from an insulation jacket or blanket and an insulated base. Consider earthquake straps as well. You may not live in an area prone to earthquakes, but they can help avoid mishaps.
Install an Expansion Tank
Expansion tanks can significantly increase the life of water heaters that are closed systems. Many manufacturers include them with modern systems, and local codes often require them. These tanks allow excess water to escape and avoid undue pressure on the system. If you have an older closed system, it may not have a tank. Adding one can help your system enjoy an even longer life.
Local Water Heater Experts in Nanaimo
Twin Peaks Plumbing, Heating & Gas provides plumbing and HVAC services for homeowners in Nanaimo and throughout the surrounding areas. Our plumbers and technicians are available around the clock for emergency repairs. We pipe and repipe gas, water, and sewer lines. Our team installs fixtures, tank and tankless water heaters, sump pumps, leak detection, and backflow prevention. Our HVAC technicians install and service furnaces, boilers, radiant heating, heat pumps, air conditioners, and ductless mini-splits. We also help our customers breathe easier with whole-house air purification and UV lamp installation. If you have questions or want to schedule a water heater appointment, call us today or contact us online.
