Like all household appliances, hot water heaters tend to take on wear and tear over time. This affects not only their functionality, but their lifespan as well.
With that said, it’s important for homeowners to perform regular maintenance on their water heater. Are you wondering what water heater maintenance entails? If so, you’ve come to the right place — this plumbing company in Albany Park, Chicago is going to provide some tips on how to properly maintain your water heater.
Drain It
The most important aspect of water heater maintenance is draining the water heater. This is necessary, as it prevents mineral buildup from accumulating over time. The less mineral buildup there is, the more efficiently the water heater can run, and the less wear and tear it will incur.
To drain your water heater, connect a garden hose to the drain valve. Then, shut off the water heater and open the drain valve, allowing the water to empty into a bucket. To ensure that all the sediment is rinsed out, be sure to flush the heater with water a few times. This will prevent sediment from clinging to the interior of the water heater.
You should do this a minimum of once a year. Going longer than this can result in extreme performance issues. If you need assistance with this task, you can always call your local plumbing company in Albany Park, Chicago.
Adjust Temperatures
While you certainly have the option to keep your water heater at the same temperature all of the time, we recommend making temperature changes for different situations. This will allow you to save as much money as possible.
By lowering your water heater temperature at opportune times, you can keep your energy costs to a minimum. For instance, you might not require your water to be as hot during the summertime. If not, you can turn the thermostat down 10 to 15 degrees.
Maybe you’re going on vacation for a week and aren’t going to be needing hot water in your home at all? If not, you’re advised to adjust the temperature to as low as it can go.
These are simple actions that can save you notable amounts of money over time.
Keep the Pipes Insulated
Our next tip is to keep the pipes insulated. We’re specifically referring to the water pipes that go into the water heater. To insulate them properly, cover them with a specially made foam pipe insulation; ⅜ inches thick is ideal.
Try to insulate as much of the pipes as possible, going until you can no longer reasonably reach. Once the insulation has been wrapped around the pipes, tape it down with a heavy-duty adhesive.
Over time, make sure to check the insulation regularly to ensure that it’s still intact. By properly insulating the pipes that lead into and out of your water heater, you will optimize energy efficiency. Again, your local Albany Park plumbing contractor can assist you with this.
Schedule Professional Tune-ups
Our last piece of advice is to schedule professional tune-ups. We recommend having a professional plumber in Albany Park, Chicago inspect and service your water heater on a yearly basis.
Your Albany Park plumber will check the water heater’s anode rod, test its TPR valve, and do everything else necessary to ensure that it’s functioning at its peak performance.
Looking for the Most Trusted Plumbing Company in Albany Park, Chicago?
Do you need help maintaining your hot water heater? Looking to partner with the most trusted plumbing company in Albany Park, Chicago? If so, John J. Cahill, Inc. is the company to call.
Our plumbers have ample experience when it comes to maintaining hot water heaters, and we will do everything necessary to ensure the optimal functionality of your water heater. Contact us today at (847) 864-5225 to schedule a tune-up.
