How to Keep Your Water Heater Running Smoothly

The lifespan of your water heater is dependent on how well you take care of it.  It is all too easy to forget about it, but that won’t last long when you start to have issues with your hot water.  It’s imperative that you take the time to care for your water heater before you start to run into problems.  That way, you’ll be able to rest assured knowing that your shower isn’t going to turn cold right in the middle.

What are some simple ways to keep your water heater healthy and happy?

Keep the Area Clear

Water heaters are usually installed in areas that also collect a lot of clutter, such as basements or garages.  However, it is very important that you keep that clutter away from the heater.  Why?

• Gas water heaters require oxygen to burn gas. Thus, a crowded space will decrease efficiency and could also cause significant damage to its parts. At the very worst, this issue could actually cause carbon monoxide leaks which pose a huge threat to your family
• This may be slightly obvious, but as your water heater gets hot, objects that are too close could lead to fires.

So how much space does it need?  Well, a general rule would be to keep surrounding objects at a distance of two feet, but check the heater’s manual to see if your unit is different.

Drain 1-3 Times a Year

Draining out a few gallons of water will allow you to get rid of debris or sediment that has built up over time.  You can do this by turning off the supply of water, connecting a garden hose to the drain and then running the water into a bucket.  Repeat this process until the water comes out clear, although at times this may mean that you need to drain the entire tank.

This should be done at the very least once a year, although it is recommended to do so up to 3 or 4 times during the year.  Doing so will cause the heater to run quieter.

Give Your Heater a Vacation When You Get One

Most water tanks will have a setting that says ‘vacation’.  If you’re looking to save energy while you’re away, this is a great little option.  When imputing the ‘vacation’ setting, you are thus leaving the pilot light on but the heater will not actually heat up the water.  Your unit gets to take a break while you’re not in the house.

Save Energy by Adjusting the Thermostat

Amazingly enough, it has been said that when you lower the thermostat by 10 degrees, you can save up to 5% on the costs of running your heater!  Imagine that!  Simply decrease the temperature and enjoy the lower bills at the end of the month.

Inspect Every Year

Giving your water heater a yearly inspection is a good idea to make sure there are no leaks in the tank or corrosion on the gas line and pipes.  If there is a scent of gas near the heater, turn it off immediately and call a professional.

With just these few tips, you can ensure a long and happy life for your water heater.  Now some will scoff at these suggestions. They are either too simple making a mountain of a mole hill. We understand that, must insist that while simple these suggestions are well worth heeding. See here for a post we did highlighting three accidents that occurred in a single week not that long ago. http://hotwaterheater.today/index.php/2016/07/11/hot-water-heaters-are-safe-but-not-without-risks/