Wouldn’t you just hate if you were taking your morning shower and, in the middle of washing out your shampoo, your water turns ice cold? Yeah, we would too. But that’s exactly what can happen if you don’t take care of your water heater.
Since you may not know exactly how to maintain your water heater, we’re going to give a few tips for how to keep it in tip-top shape.
Drain the Tank
Sediment naturally builds up in your tank over time, so at least twice a year, drain the tank and mix up the sediment by opening up the cold-water valve. You should repeat this until the water you’re draining comes out clear.
Insulate the Pipes
Does it take a while for your water to come out hot? Keep the heat inside your pipes by wrapping them in foam insulation. This doesn’t let as much heat escape from the water as it moves to your fixtures or appliances — which in turn saves you energy and money.
Insulate the Tank
In the same way, heat can escape from your pipes, it can also escape from the water heater tank itself. Wrapping it in an insulation blanket can keep heat inside your tank and help it be more efficient.
Pro Tip: If you have an oil or gas water heater, make sure to leave the top of your tank uncovered.
Lower the Temperature
Most water heaters are set to 140℉, but it’s more efficient to have the temperature set to 120℉. Doing this saves energy since your unit doesn’t have to work as hard to heat water — and since you don’t use as much energy, you don’t have as high of utility bills.
Important: Be very careful when lowering your water heater’s temperature as you could get injured without taking the proper precautions.
Care for Your Water Heater with the Help of Mr. Rooter!
When it comes to keeping your water heater working well, trust the experts at Mr. Rooter of San Antonio. From water heater maintenance to repairs to replacement, we’ve got you covered.