Tankless and hot water tank heaters in Waterloo and Listowel
From inspections, maintenance, testing and everything in between check out our top 9 tips to ensure water heater longevity and performance in today’s blog.
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Top 9 Tips to Extend The Life of Your Water Heater
Is your water heater in it for the long haul? Here in Ontario, where our winters demand a little bit extra from our home systems, keeping your water heater in peak condition is crucial for performance and efficiency. With a few smart, preventative steps, you can extend the lifespan of your water heater, while avoiding costly repairs and ensuring your home stays comfortable season to season. Today, the expert technicians at Cross Heating & Air Conditioning will walk you through 9 effective tips that will make a big difference for your water heater, and your peace of mind. Let’s get started!
Tip #1 - Regularly Drain & Flush The Tank
Regularly draining and flushing your water heater tank is one of the best ways to ensure it runs smoothly for years to come. Overtime mineral deposits from our hard water start to accumulate inside your tank, resulting in sediment buildup. This reduces your water heater’s capacity, and also causes it to work harder to heat the same amount of water. This leads to increased energy usage and wear and tear, significantly shortening its lifespan. We know that sounds scary, but there is something you (or us) can do to help! At Cross Heating & Air Conditioning, we recommend a tank drain and flush at least once a year to effectively remove buildup and restore your water heater’s capacity. It also helps prevent overheating, and the potential for damage and leaks caused by that sediment bouncing around!Tip #2 - Anode Rod Inspection & Replacement
Your water heater’s anode rod is a small rod located at the bottom of your tank that protects your tank from corrosion. It does this by attracting minerals and sediment away from the walls of your tank. To keep your anode rod, and overall water heater, operating in tip top shape, check the rod every one to three years. A rod nearing the end of its usefulness will appear thin and completely covered in mineral deposits. Replacing it, thankfully, is a pretty straightforward process. So call our repair experts right away to get your water heater back up and running fast!
Tip #3 - Check For Leaks & Corrosion
If you stay ready, you don’t ever have to get ready…or something like that. Basically what we’re trying to say is that staying ahead of the game with a quick visual inspection for leaks and corrosion can pay dividends in the overall lifespan of your water heater. Every few months go into your mechanical room and look for leaks or standing water around your tank. Also look for any cracks or dents that could eventually give way. If you notice anything amiss, give our friendly team a call, we’re trained to quickly identify and address signs of leaks and corrosion before they give way. And potentially flood your basement!Tip #4 - Maintain A Safe Temperature Setting
Maintaining a safe temperature setting on your water heater is key for balancing energy efficiency, household water needs and the long term health of your system. Our technicians typically recommend setting your water heater’s temperature to 120 degrees (49 degrees celsius) to prevent bacterial growth in the tank, while also preventing scalding when you use your sink or shower. Keeping a consistent temperature also reduces the strain on your system, because it doesn’t have to work as hard to raise and lower the temperature every time you turn the tap. As briefly mentioned above, increased wear and tear on your water heater can cause overheating which can lead to premature aging of tank components and the tank itself. By adjusting and keeping your tank’s temperature at 120 degrees, you ensure efficiency, safety and reliability all year long.Tip #5 - Insulation
Ensuring your water heater and the connecting pipes are properly insulated is another great tip for system longevity. Adding or improving insulation can reduce standby heat loss as much as 25-45%! Which can result in huge savings month over month.
Tip #6 - Test the Pressure Relief Valve
The pressure relief valve on your tank is a handy little safety device designed to release excess pressure from your tank when it, or the temperature, gets too high. When pressure builds beyond safe levels the switch will flip open, relieving the pressure inside the tank. This mitigates the risk of tank damage, and in extreme cases, explosions. To ensure it’s functioning properly, we recommend testing your valve at least once a year. You can do this by locating the valve, usually found on the top or side of your tank. Place a bucket underneath the valve and carefully lift the valve’s lever and let it snap back down. A small burst of water should come out. If you don’t see any water, or start to notice leaks after inspection, the valve may be faulty and should be replaced immediately. If this is the case, call us today! Our fully stocked service trucks and experienced technicians are ready and standing by! If you’re not comfortable testing the valve yourself, we can handle that too!Tip #7 - Clean Up, Clean Up
One of the simplest ways to ensure your water heater operates properly is by making sure the area around it is free of clutter and dust. This ensures adequate ventilation and reduces fire hazards. It also makes access to critical components easier should you be in need of a service.Tip #8 - Monitor Water Quality
Whenever you’re washing dishes, taking a bath or doing any other daily routines, stop and take note of any odours or colour changes in your water that could indicate issues. We also recommend installing a water softener to help mitigate sediment build-up and extend the lifespan of your water heater. At Cross Heating & Air Conditioning we carry the best products for your home, so you can rest easy knowing that our manufacturer-trained technicians put in quality softener systems that will stand the test of time. We specialize in the installation of Novo products, a Canadian water-conditioning system that helps fend off hard water throughout your home.
Tip #9 - Regular Maintenance From Cross Heating & Air Conditioning
Drum roll please…. Finally, the most effective way to maintain water heater performance is to schedule annual maintenance from our team of experts! At Cross Heating & Air Conditioning, we know how important hot water is. That’s why our technicians go through a comprehensive tune-up process including a top to bottom safety and efficiency inspection to ensure reliable hot water for months and years to come. We’re also proud to offer ongoing maintenance service with our exclusive Cross Advantage Program. For a low monthly fee, you’ll get the peace of mind of pre-scheduled maintenance. You’ll also get:- 1-year repair warranty
- Annual HVAC Dollars
- 10% discount on future repairs
- 20% discount on air filters
- Reduced service rates
- Product warranty protection.
