Your water heater is one pretty used and 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 and costs.
Regular flushing of the water heater has become single most important step you can take to prolong its service life in addition, it save energy. In a period of time, sediments amass 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 merely destructive to the tank, but highly inefficient and will significantly raise your heating costs.
In most involving the country, the standard water heater lasts 3-5 years. Regularly flushing your hot water heater can double existence 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 a must in today’s markets. In addition, regular flushing makes your water heater run more efficiently and can cut heating costs in half. Depending on the volume of warm water your home uses, that can mean a savings of $20 to over $50 a month.
To drain your water heater, first you should set the thermostat to pilot (if it can be a gas water heater) or turn the circuit breaker off (if it is 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 the water inlet line going into your water heater. After backing up connect a garden hose to the drain valve located at the base of the heater tank. Open the drain and allow it to move until all of the water has emptied from the hot water heater. 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 the house and stand there and watch it run for several minutes until drinking water flows out perfectly. This will allow air to vent because of the heater and the hot water lines. Finally, you can turn the thermostat in order 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 may less corrosive to your plumbing system, particularly in areas possess hard stream. For more ways to care for and protect your home plumbing system, contact a licensed, professional plumbing contractor in place to discuss options and merchandise to work for you.
Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical
The Woodlands, TX
(281) 528-1610