Don’t Forget about your Water Heater!

Recently, we’ve given you some advice on plumbing and furnace maintenance. However, your furnace doesn’t heat your home on its own. When it comes to baths, showers, and washing dishes your water heater is the hero of your house, so it needs attention too. Given that it accounts for about 15-20% of your utility bill, maintaining your water heater is a good investment.  

Have it professionally maintained 

We want to give you tips to keep your water heater well maintained and save money by helping it run more efficiently, especially if you are trying to extend the life of an older unit. However, there are some things on a water heater that are best maintained by a professional. A faulty pressure valve, for instance, can result in a water heater exploding. Cleaning sediment out of your hot water heater without properly turning your unit off can cause significant damage. To avoid any large mishaps, always start with annual professional maintenance. We’re coming to check your furnace anyway, right? 

Check the temperature 

Your water heater should have a temperature dial (it may be behind a cover that you need to access with screws), but it’s usually easily accessible on the side of the tank. There is a reason that manufacturer’s set the default temperature at 60 degrees Celsius. Keep it set at a lower temperature, and you can have bacteria growing in your tank that can make you sick. Keep it at a higher temperature and you’re wasting energy. Make sure the temperature gauge stays at 60 C (140 F) to properly maintain your tank. 

Add insulation 

Modern water heaters are well insulated and experience minimal heat loss. However, if you have an older unit, a fiberglass jacket might help with heat loss. In addition, insulating the first few feet of the pipes can be an area of significant energy loss. You can buy self-sticking 3/8-inch-thick foam pipe insulation that matches the pipes' diameter and use that to provide a few feet of extra insulation. Typically, there is no need to do more than these first few feet, as hot water is not stored in the pipes. If the pipes run close to the flue (six inches or closer), 1-inch-thick unfaced fiberglass pipe wrap is a better option.  

Install a water heater filter 

Over time, minerals and particulates in the water can settle as sediment in your water heater, reducing its life span and efficiency. Although there many how-tos available that tell you to drain your water to remove this sediment, doing this incorrectly can cause damage to your unit, or cause a flood. A better solution (along with annual professional maintenance) is installing a filter. Whether tankless, or with a tank, a water heater will be able to do its job more effectively with the help of a filter. Once you have a good filter installed, you’ll have to check your cartridge every six months to determine when it needs to be changed.  

Your water heater is an important member of a functioning household and should be given the attention it deserves. The better you take care of it, the less likely you’ll find yourself in a cold shower.  

As always, if you have questions about your water heater, and would like to speak to us about how we can help save you money on your next electric bill, give our team a call!