5 Tips to Keeping a Happy, Healthy Water Heater!

There’s no feeling like stepping into a hot shower after braving a cold New England day. Water heaters provide so much comfort during the winter season it is hard to imagine living without one. Yet these machines can be sensitive and volatile, making water heater malfunctions all too common especially this time of year. Here are five tips for maintaining a healthy water heater:

• Prevent a POP! – Consistently check the temperature pressure release valve (TPR) on your water heater to prevent pressure build up, which could lead to leaky and bursting pipes. Simply lift the valve and let some water out to relieve tension.
• Replace the Rod – Anode rods are placed in water heaters to attract and trap corrosive minerals that would usually attack the whole tank. Over time, the rods will corrode completely until they are no longer able to keep the tank safe, and minerals will begin to eat away at the pipes. Replace the anode rod every few years to protect the water tank and increase its longevity.
• Rinse and Repeat – Clean sediment out of the bottom of the tank by repeatedly opening and closing the cold-water supply valve until clean water drains out. Sediment buildup can lead to fluctuating water temperature and eventually loss of hot water.
• Dial it Down – It is fiscally and environmentally responsible to turn down the temperature on your water heater. Most manufactures set thermostats at 140 °, but they only need to be set at 120° to supply your household with hot water. Lowering the temperature can also lower your energy costs by 10% and slow sediment buildup. Take a screwdriver to the thermostat cover and turn that dial down!
• Keep it Straight, Insulate – Insulating water heaters can increase efficiency, cut costs, and prevent cold weather bursts. Investing in an insulation blanket will cut standby heat losses by an average 35%, save you about 12% in heating costs, and stop immediate pipes from freezing and bursting when hot water passes through.

If you need any help completing these steps, contact MillTown at (978) 528-3597 for a water heater check-up!

Fred Webster is the owner of MillTown Plumbing, Heating Air Conditioning and Drain Cleaning in Chelmsford, MA.