Your water heater is one rather used and more expensive appliances in your home, and consumes a large portion of your energy dollars each month. And experts say regular care and maintenance is essential to protecting your investment and saving from the home heating and energy costs.
Regular flushing of the water heater are probably the single most important step you consider to prolong its service life this particular save energy. A duration of time, sediments enhance 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. Partly destructive to the tank, but highly inefficient and will significantly raise your heating costs.
In most regions of the country, the standard water heater lasts 3-5 years. Regularly flushing your water heater can double the life of your water heater from 3-5 to 7-10 years. Device costs of replacement running from $700 to over $1200 in some cases, getting the most out of your heater ‘s very important 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 hot water your home uses, that can mean a savings of $20 to over $50 a month or so.
To drain your water heater, which will help should set the thermostat to pilot (if it is often a gas water heater) or turn the circuit breaker off (if it is electric heater). Failure to do so could result in overheating and severe damage to the heater. Next, close the water supply valve located on the water inlet line going into your water heater. You can then connect a hose to the drain valve located at the base of the central heater. Open the drain and allow it to run until all of the water has emptied from the heater. Then close the drain. Open the water supply valve and refill the heater. You should also open a hot water faucet somewhere inside the house and stand there and watch it run for several minutes until the flows out quietly. This will allow air to vent from 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 be less corrosive to your plumbing system, particularly in areas which have hard water. For more ways to care for and protect your home plumbing system, contact a licensed, professional plumbing contractor in your neighborhood to discuss options and products to fit the bill.
Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical
The Woodlands, TX
(281) 528-1610