Maintain Your Electric Water Heater
When it comes to water heaters there are lots of great choices available to homeowners. Some water heaters are electric while others are gas fueled. Keeping up with your water heater is a choice that you'll need to make for better preservation of the system because we often take maintenance for granted.
Types
Choosing from the correct water heater for the home can be quite confusing especially if you are not aware of what's out there. Today there are lots of choices as water heaters come in the following varieties:
- Gas
- Oil
- Electric
- Tankless
- Gas Water Tanks
These are the most popular type of water heater as they incorporate gas as the fuel source. These water systems are economically efficient to run as the energy savings make it one of the best choices. A great option in a gas water tank system is one that has an electric ignition which automatically lights the burners without having a pilot light.
Oil Water Tanks
An oil-based water tank has as fast a recovery time as the gas system. The only downfall to an oil-based system is that it requires a lot more maintenance. On the plus side there is no need for a pilot light which makes the unit safe to run.
Electric Water Tanks
Another popular option is the electric water heater. These systems are cheap and very easy to install. However, the cost to operate them has gone up over the years and still continues to. The cost is reflected onto your utility bills.
Tankless Water Heaters
A tankless system can be fueled either by gas or electric. They do not require a storage unit or a tan. This is why they are known as "tankless" systems. A tankless water heater benefit is that it provides hot water on-demand when a faucet opens.
Signs a Water Heater is Going Bad
You might not give too much thought to your water heater, but when it starts giving you trouble you have to be ready to act fact. This means recognizing the warning signs. If you experience any one of the following signs, you're going to need to replace or have your system repaired:
- Noise
- No hot water
- Slower recovery time
- Leaks
- Noise
If you hear your system rumbling, it can be a build-up problem of the sediment inside. The air bubbles that rise through the sediment are what cause the actual rumbling. The sediment can cause the heating element to burn out.
No Hot Water
If you're getting warm but no hot water, this means one of the heating elements may have gone out. In a conventional water tank, there are two heating elements. When one works and the other don't, hot water cannot be achieved.
Slow Recovery Time
If you're noticing that your water tank has a slower recovery time after running a load of laundry or after a shower, sediment build-up could be affecting the heating element. When sediment interferes with the heating of the water, the lengthier of time it takes to heat the water.
Leaks
If you observe water around or under your tank, the tank could be rusting out which means that it will need replaced. Sediment can be trapped in a gasket causing the drip from a plumbing connection. A new water tank won't give you these plumbing problems.
Maintenance for a Water Tank
When a water heater is working its best, you can have hot water anytime that you need it. A water heater can be a very reliable appliance given the proper maintenance. Maintenance will help keep it preserved and run efficiently. The typical lifespan of a water heater is anywhere from 10-15 years as you must concern yourself with the following in order to keep it maintained:
- Safety
- Pressure relief valve
- Flushing the system
- Safety First
Any tine that you're servicing your water heater, always remember to turn off the power supply. This is due to some heaters being hard-wired. If you own a gas heater, before the maintenance begins, turn the gas switch to the pilot position.
Pressure Relief Valve
The pressure relief valve is located on the upper-side of the water heater. When and if a tank becomes too over-pressurized, the valve cuts out to relieve the pressure. Testing the operation of the valve will help this problem from occurring and preventing future damages.
Flushing Out the System
Your water heater should be flushed out at least every six months. This helps to keep the sediment from corroding the tank because tank sediment build-up can also help to cut down the water tank's energy efficiency too.
Following these simple steps and getting the right water heater for your home will prevent you from having to prematurely replace it along with costly repairs. Call in your local plumber for maintenance or electrician for installation.