Your water heater is one pretty used and more 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 can take to prolong its service life in addition, it save energy. Over a period of time, sediments strengthen 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 average water heater lasts 3-5 years. Regularly flushing your water heater can double existence of your water heater from 3-5 to 7-10 years. To provide a source costs of replacement running from $700 to over $1200 in some cases, getting the most from your heater is critical in today’s weather. In addition, regular flushing makes your water heater run more efficiently and can cut heating costs fifty percent. Depending on the volume of drinking 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 water heater. Next, close the water supply valve located more than a water inlet line going into your water heater. Equipped to connect a hose to the drain valve located at the bottom of the 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 central heater. You should also open a hot water faucet somewhere at home and stand there and watch it run for several minutes until the water flows out perfectly. 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 it is less corrosive to your plumbing system, particularly in areas possess hard hot 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 work for you.
Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical
The Woodlands, TX
(281) 528-1610
