You rely on your water heater to keep your home comfortable and clean. Think about how many times you use hot water each day – taking a shower, cleaning your house, washing your clothes and dishes, and more. So it’s essential to keep your water heater in the best shape possible.
Here’s a routine maintenance schedule you can follow:
- Adjust the thermostat to 120 degrees. You’ll not only save money on your energy bill but also reduce the risk of scalding.
- Drain your tank. If you don’t have a tankless water heater, you should drain your tank to remove sediment and debris once or twice a year. Turn off your water, hook up a garden hose to your drain valve, and then run the water into a bucket until it is clear. If the water doesn’t clear up, turn your water back on to stir up the remaining sediment, then drain the tank again. If you don’t feel comfortable draining your tank, give us a call, and we can help.
- Insulate older water heater units with a fiberglass jacket. Newer water heaters are usually insulated, so check your owner’s manual to see if this is necessary.
- Change to the vacation setting when you leave town. Using this setting will keep your pilot light on, but won’t heat your water.
- Get an annual check-up. Call us to set up a time every year to evaluate your water heater. We’ll check out your valves, pipes, and rods to ensure all is functioning correctly.
Even with regular maintenance, there will come a time when you’ll need to replace your water heater.
It’s time to replace your water heater if:
- Your water heater is 8-10 years old.
- You see water around your water heater, which may mean there’s a leak.
- You hear a rumbling or banging sound coming from your water heater.
- The demand for hot water in your home has increased.
Ready to install a new water heater?
If you’d like more information about installing a new water heater in your home, give us a call at 770-451-6765.
