Your water heater is one of the used and costly appliances in your home, and consumes a large associated with your energy dollars each month. And experts say regular care and maintenance is essential to protecting your investment and saving around the home heating and energy costs.
Regular flushing of your water heater has become single most important step you consider to prolong its service life and even save energy. Over a period of time, sediments strengthen in the bottom of your hot 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 areas of the country, the normal water heater lasts 3-5 years. Regularly flushing your hot water heater can double the life of your water heater from 3-5 to 7-10 years. Are investigating costs of replacement running from $700 to over $1200 in some cases, getting the most from your heater is critical in today’s markets. In addition, regular flushing makes your water heater run more efficiently and can cut heating costs fifty percent. Depending on the volume of warm water your home uses, that can mean a savings of $20 to over $50 a fair amount of time.
To drain your water heater, initially you should set the thermostat to pilot (if it can be a gas water heater) or turn the circuit breaker off (if it is an electric heater). Failure to do so could result in overheating and severe damage to drinking water heater. Next, close the water supply valve located on a water inlet line going into your water heater. You can then connect a hose to the drain valve located at the bottom of the space heater. Open the drain and allow it to run until all of the water has emptied from the unit. Then close the drain. Open the water supply valve and refill the central heater. You should also open a hot water faucet somewhere indoors and stand there and watch it run for several minutes until water flows out gradually. This will allow air to vent because 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 home to filter or condition the water so it is 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 area to discuss options and merchandise to be fitting.
Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical
The Woodlands, TX
(281) 528-1610