It’s easy to take your water heater for granted. That’s as long as it’s delivering hot water to your shower, your kitchen sink and your washing machine. But to keep your unit hassle-free, you need to perform regular water heater maintenance.
Regularwater heater maintenance not only keeps the hot water flowing, but also helps to save energy and extend the life of your water heater. Unsure of what maintenance is required? Here are a few tips:
Drain the tank: Most water heater manufacturers recommend that you drain the tank once a year to remove any sediment that has collected at the bottom of the tank. Left unchecked, this sediment can eventually clog the water outflow valve. Use caution; the water is probably scalding hot.
Test the pressure relief valve: The pressure relief valve on your water heater helps to keep the pressure in the tank from getting too high (something that at worst could cause the tank to explode). Make sure yours is functioning properly by gently releasing the lever (with a bucket underneath the valve). If no water is released, you’ll need to replace the valve.
Check the water temperature: Make sure your tank’s thermostat is set at 120 degrees or lower. High temperatures can increase the amount of sediment in the tank, as well as pose a scalding hazard and waste energy.
If all of this seems too difficult or complicated, an annual service call by an HVAC professional can handle all of these maintenance issues. If you need help keeping your north-central Texas water heater in good working order, please call us at James Lane Air Conditioning. We’ve been helping Wichita Falls area homeowners with their heating and cooling needs since 1957.
