6 Fall Water Heater Maintenance Tips

Since winter is the season you rely on hot water the most, fall is a great time to perform water heater maintenance. The tips here will help prolong your water heater’s life, increase efficiency and lower your water heating bills. Here are the steps you should take:

Prepare the Tank for Water Heater Maintenance

Turn off the gas or electricity, depending on the water heater’s power source. Close off the water inlet and allow the water cool down. Turn on one hot water faucet in your home to a slow drizzle to release pressure inside the water heater.

Test the Pressure-Relief Valve

The pressure-relief valve is located on the side or top of the water heater tank. The valve is designed to release automatically if the pressure inside the tank gets too high. Lift the valve and some water should dribble out. If it doesn’t, replace the valve as soon as possible. Note: be careful, as the water is extremely hot.

Check the Anode Rod

Every three years, include this as part of your fall water heater maintenance. Loosen the hex head screw from the top of the tank and lift the anode rod out. Replace the rod if it’s coated in calcium, if it’s less than one-half-inch thick or if more than six inches of the core steel wire is exposed.

Drain a Few Gallons from the Tank

This flushes out sediment buildup, thus helping to increase efficiency, prolong the equipment’s lifespan, and prevent corrosion. You don’t need to drain the entire tank; a few gallons should do the trick. Just make sure the water is running clear before you call the task complete.

Restart the Water Heater

Close the drain valve and open the water inlet. Restore power by turning on the gas or electricity and relighting the pilot, if applicable.

Help the Water Heater Run More Efficiently

From now on, set the temperature to 120 degrees instead of 140 degrees to save up to 10 percent in energy costs and prevent scalding at the tap. Don’t set the water heater thermostat any lower than this or you risk microbial growth in the tank. You can also insulate the tank with a special water heater jacket to help reduce standby heat loss.

Water Heater Repair & Replacement in Central Jersey

Basically, flush out your water heater and remove sediment buildup to ensure optimal performance and a longer lifespan. You may find you need repair or replacement. If that’s the case, the Arctic Air Conditioning team has you covered!

For more water heater maintenance tips or to schedule service, contact our team, proudly serving Monmouth, Middlesex, Mercer, and Ocean counties.