Water Heater Maintenance Advice

Water Heater Maintenance Tips

1) Have you flushed your water heater lately? This tedious but essential chore should be done at least twice a year to remove the sediment that accumulates on the tank's bottom. Sediment buildup shortens the life of your water heater and adds to your energy bill by reducing its efficiency. Connect a standard garden hose to the water heater drain outlet near the base. Place the other end of the hose near a floor drain or in a large bucket. Draining 2 or 3 gallons of water is usually enough to flush out sediment.

2) Water heaters are commonly installed at a pre-set temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends a setting of 120 degrees for most households, estimating that this can reduce energy costs for water heating by over $400 per year. Plus, you'll reduce the risk of scalding—water heaters that are set too high send thousands (mostly children) to hospitals each year with burns from water from a faucet.

3) The temperature & pressure relief valve is a critical safety feature of your water heater. It senses dangerous pressure buildup or excessively high temperature inside the water heater tank and automatically opens to relieve the pressure. A buildup of mineral salt, rust, and corrosion can cause a T&P valve to freeze up and become non-operational. Without an operational T&P valve, a water heater is at risk of exploding. If you see anything wrong with it, contact a professional plumber immediately.

Professional Water Heater Maintenance

Once a year, your water heater should be maintenance by a service agency or a qualified installer licensed and trained to perform maintenance on your water heater or combustion-related equipment. During this comprehensive inspection, our technician will:

• Rigorously inspect the heating system and rectify any problems.
• Ensure all water heater connections and wiring is intact.
• Inspect condensate system and clean and flush the system as necessary.
• Examine and clean flame sensors, igniter, and burner assembly.
• Scrutinize the venting system for deterioration, corrosion, or blockage to ensall pipe and joint connections are secure.
• Survey the vent terminations and air inlet to make sure they're unobstructed and clear.
• Check control settings as well as test safety controls and operating controls.

Before the technician leaves, they will ensure the equipment is functioning properly.