Temperature and Air Solutions: Heating and air conditioning Maintenance for Homeowners
Your water heater is one of the most used and more 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 from the home heating and costs.
Regular flushing of the water heater is among the single most important step you can take to prolong its service life additionally, you will save energy. In a period of time, sediments amass 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. This is not only 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 existence of your water heater from 3-5 to 7-10 years. Something else costs of replacement running from $700 to over $1200 in some cases, getting the most from your heater is vital in today’s weather. In addition, regular flushing makes your water heater run more efficiently and can cut heating costs in half. Depending on the volume of hot water your home uses, that can mean a savings of $20 to over $50 a week.
To drain your water heater, first you should set the thermostat to pilot (if it is a gas water heater) or turn the circuit breaker off (if it is definitely an 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 bottom of the space heater. Open the drain and allow it to run until all of your water has emptied from the heater. Then close the drain. Open the water supply valve and refill the heater tank. You should also open a hot water faucet somewhere inside and stand there and watch it run for several minutes until drinking water flows out smoothly. This will allow air to vent via the heater and the hot water lines. Finally, you can turn the thermostat back 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 residence to filter or condition the water so is actually always 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 area to discuss options and products to work for you.
Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical
The Woodlands, TX
(281) 528-1610
