Tips On Water Heaters & How To Get The Most From Them
Category: Water Heaters
With energy rates ever increasing, it only makes sense to keep your water heater functioning as efficiently as possible. Some water heaters aren’t as energy efficient as others, so it may be worth upgrading if yours if it’s older than five years or so.
It’s easy to forget about your water heater because it functions silently and reliably. It continually puts out hot water whenever you need it. The water heater is often out of sight, out of mind.
Improving your home energy efficiency in whatever way possible is a good idea. There are ways to improve the efficiency if your water heater doesn’t already need replacing.
Here are some tips from our professional Plano Plumbers about water heaters and how to get the most out of them.
Setting The Water Heater Tank Thermostat
If the water heater tank thermostat is set high, you will be constantly heating water that you don’t often need. This consumes much more energy than necessary. It’s also dangerous if the water is scalding hot. The CPSC, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, recommends a water heater tank setting of 120°F.
Setting the thermostat at this level lowers the stress of the water heater and your utility bills. Any higher, and you could be putting extra pressure on the heater which wears the unit out much quicker normal.
Draining & Flushing The Water Heater Tank
Draining the water heater tank is important to extend the life of the equipment. This is a regular part of home maintenance that everyone should do. Your local Plano plumber should offer water heater maintenance service to include draining and flush-out. The plumber should also test any gas lines and examine all the electrical parts, plumbing lines, drains, and settings on the water heater.
Sediment can develop a buildup on any type of water heater, so whether yours is resistant to rust or not, have the tank serviced. While you’re paying attention to this equipment, also make sure your plumber installs a drain pan underneath the tank. If the tank cracks or rusts out, it will help to keep the flooding under control.
Insulating Your Water Heater Tank
Most water heaters are located in the garage or somewhere else that is exposed to cold weather. Just as you insulate your exterior plumbing faucets and pipes, insulate your water heater tank too.
A water heater jacket can be placed around the tank and all the exposed pipes should be insulated. Even when indoors, a water heater that is located next to exterior walls can be vulnerable to freezing. Plus, the insulated jacket will help the water heater not to work so hard. The less it has to work, the more energy savings you’ll see.
By putting these simple tips into effect, you can extend the life of your water heater and improve its efficiency. Don’t forget about your water heater!
