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HOW TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF YOUR WATER HEATER
Some say cold showers are good for you: it revs your metabolism; it
gets your heart pumping to help your body heal from a workout; it can even strengthen your immune system. Still, most people find it rather annoying and tend to become quite grumpy when there is no heated water when they bathe. If you find yourself running out of hot water more often than before, or if the water seems a little tepid, it may be time for some maintenance.
Water heaters usually work well for at least 10 years, so people don’t
often think about them until it’s too late. You know, when your get up one cold morning and the water just won’t heat up. To postpone that inevitable moment, you can perform yearly maintenance that can keep your heater working efficiently.
A simple, one-time fix is to add insulation. Particularly if your unit is in an unheated area of the house or garage, you can save between 5 and 10 percent in energy costs if you wrap it in a protective blanket.
Another basic task is to check the temperature setting. For the most
efficient output, it should be set at about 120 degrees. When it is set higher, it can cause more mineral build up inside, causing it to run down sooner. Every 5-degree difference can affect your power bill as well, for good or bad.
It’s also important to drain the tank manually once a year. When you
do, you will let out the old water along with any sediment that has settled onto the bottom of your water heater. Any time there is build up the unit must work harder, which in turn increases your energy bill. Let the water pour out until you no longer see mineral particles coming out, which is usually two or three gallons.
One of the easiest fixes is replacing the pressure-relief valve. This is the automatic safety device that opens if the inside pressure becomes too high. When you flip the lever, it should release some water. If it doesn’t, replace it. Replacements are readily available at most hardware stores.
Another major player in keeping your heater healthy is the anode
rod. It is a three-quarter inch pole that hangs inside the tank; without it, the hot water would quickly rust the interior of your unit. Check it annually; when it begins to deteriorate, get a new one.
A few simple maintenance steps can help extend the life of your
water heater. When it finally does fail, call a plumber for water heater replacement in vista, visit this website www.crplumbinginc.com/water-heaters