Water heating accounts for nearly 20% of the average U.S. household’s annual energy use. A common mistake is not servicing a water heater until there’s a problem. That can result in higher energy consumption and expensive repairs.
Schedule Routine Professional Maintenance
Routine maintenance is the key to optimal water heater performance. Much of the required upkeep aren’t do-it-yourself tasks and require a plumber. It’s also worth considering that many warranties require regular professional maintenance as a condition of coverage.
Replace Your Anode Rod as Needed
Tank water heaters have a sacrificial anode rod that attracts corrosion, limescale, and sediment through electrolysis. Through this process, the rod itself will rust over time. That’s where the term sacrificial comes from. Each year, our plumbers will check the rod and, when it’s nearing the end of its usefulness, replace it. The average timeframe is between three to five years.
Flush Your Tank
The anode rod alone isn’t enough to deal with sediment. Over the years, it can build up, which can reduce energy efficiency and compromise the tank and other water heater components. Every year, our plumbers will drain the tank completely. In some cases, it may be necessary to sanitize the tank. If so, they will refill the tank with clean water.
Descale Your Tankless Water Heater
On-demand water heaters don’t have tanks or anode rods. That doesn’t mean that limescale won’t affect them. It does and can actually decrease efficiency and lifespan at an even greater rate. To deal with this problem, our plumbers will descale the water heater. Descaling involves using a recirculating pump to run a cleaning solution through the system.
Additional Anti-Scale Measures
If you have water that’s moderately hard or harder, you may need flushing or descaling twice or more a year. In that case, you should consider equipment to deal with the hardness. An anti-scale device is a solution for water heaters and other water-using appliances. These devices chemically change the structure of the calcium so that it doesn’t turn into limescale. A water softener is a whole-home alternative. It will remove the calcium and magnesium from the water. That protects not only your water heater but plumbing and other water-using appliances.
Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve
All tank water heaters have a T&P valve to relieve pressure from the tank automatically. Test it once a month by lifting it three times. Water should drain out through the drainpipe.
Clean and Replace Air Filters
Tankless water heaters have one or more air filters. Clean each filter at least every six months, and replace filters as soon as you can no longer adequately clean them.
Avoid spending unnecessarily on your home’s water heater in Redding, CA. Call Royal Plumbing today to schedule water heater maintenance services, or book your appointment online.
