Your water heater is one that is used and more expensive 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 with regards to your home heating and energy costs.
Regular flushing of your water heater are probably the single most important step you get to prolong its service life this particular save energy. During time, sediments mount up 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 just destructive to the tank, but highly inefficient and will significantly raise your heating costs.
In most areas of the country, the common water heater lasts 3-5 years. Regularly flushing your water heater can double daily life of your hot 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 from your heater is in today’s affordable. 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 week.
To drain your water heater, initially you should set the thermostat to pilot (if it is really 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 actual heater. Next, close the water supply valve located on the water inlet line going into your water heater. You can then connect a garden hose to the drain valve located towards the end of the heater tank. Open the drain and allow it to run until all for the water has emptied from the heating unit. Then close the drain. Open the water supply valve and refill the heater tank. 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 gradually. This will allow air to vent off of the heater and the water lines. Finally, you can turn the thermostat 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 home to filter or condition the water so may be less corrosive to your plumbing system, particularly in areas which have hard this type of 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 merchandise to fit the bill.
Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical
The Woodlands, TX
(281) 528-1610