Water heaters are essential in homeowners’ daily lives. When it starts to fail, repairing it can be costly. Some homeowners know the importance of regular maintenance. Others, however, consider it as an additional expense. Many water heater problems are due to lack of maintenance. Your water heater needs to be well-maintained so it functions well. As access to hot water is essential, regular unit inspection must be considered. Not only will you keep your unit at its optimal level, but you will also extend its lifespan. These water heater maintenance tips can keep your unit in good working condition.
The best temperature for heaters
Although you know that your heater needs to produce hot water, you might not be aware of the proper temperature that you have to maintain. The required range is between 120 and 140 Fahrenheit. According to a research conducted by John Hopkins researchers, 41% of homeowners are keeping their units too hot. Keeping water too hot is dangerous and keeping it too low can invite bacteria to develop over time. Bad bacteria can cause Legionnaires disease. While you may not easily contract this disease if your water is at 120F, you can still be at risk if you have an auto immune disease.
Why recovery rates are important
The recovery time refers to the number of gallons the unit can produce within an hour, provided it is completely drained. Recovery rates give you an idea about how fast your unit can provide hot water. It is essential that you know the recovery time of your water heater so you can determine the overall health of your unit and detect problems before they get worse. You can also use recovery rates as a deciding factor in buying a new water heater. You need a water heater with higher recovery time if your household requires more hot water.
Annual draining
Every year, your water heater needs to be drained as part of unit maintenance. With the use of a drain valve, you can drain the water out of your heater. Keep in mind that the water is hot. With that said, you need to observe safety measures. Once the water has been drained, you will notice sediments building up over time. You need to perform a full flush to get rid of these sediments. You have to know the capacity of your unit and should have storage facilities where you can run out the drained water safely. Make sure that you switch off your unit before starting. Once you drain the water completely, allow new water to flow through your unit. Turn the water heater back on once you complete the process.
Keeping your water heater insulated
You can make your water heater more energy efficient if you keep it well insulated. You can do this with the use of an insulation blanket. This effectiveness of this technique will depend on different factors like the location of your unit. If the space is unconditioned, your unit needs to maintain hotter temperatures during the summer and colder temperatures during the winter. The blanket you are going to purchase will depend on the amount of water your unit can hold. The bigger your heater, the bigger your blanket.
Annual water heater maintenance
You can avoid spending money on water heater repair if you schedule annual maintenance with a professional plumber. Annual heater check up helps you detect rust, corrosion and leaks. The plumber will check difficult places to find out if some components need to be repaired. Keeping your water heater in check is important as it prevents unit replacements. When a plumber detects the problem earlier, you do not have to worry about repairs. Water heaters are a necessity in every home. Ensuring its efficiency will give you continuous access to hot water.
Never skip maintenance because it can provide you more benefits than you know. Replacing your water heater will no longer be an option if your unit is well taken care of. Once you suspect that your heater is malfunctioning, do not hesitate to call a professional plumber right away. Your unit needs to be checked by an expert to know the source of the problem. By hiring a top-notch plumber, you will be able to address the problem right away.
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