4 Tips to Improve Water Heater Efficiency and Lifespan

There’s nothing better than being able to sit in a hot water bath at the end of a stressful day. However, in order to make sure that we’re always able to do that, we need to take good care of our water heater.  At the same time, we also need to make sure that it doesn’t needlessly run up the power bill.

The most effective way to prevent the latter from happening is to go solar. While it does require a bit of an investment, you’ll be able to save tons of money in the long run. If you’re thinking about getting one installed, we suggest contacting the best supplier of solar hot water Tweed Heads has to offer.

If you’d rather stick with your existing water heater, there’s still some good news: it doesn’t take much very much time or effort to perform some basic maintenance or take measures to improve a heater’s efficiency.  Our compilation of tips should certainly give you the proper guidance, regardless of skill level.

Clear the Way to the Heater

First of all, you should know where your water heater is located. Secondly, you should make sure that it’s easy to reach. Most of the time, water heaters are located in the basement or attic which aren’t the most accessible of places. Hence, you should never occlude the path to the heater by placing items in front of it. Even if it’s an eyesore, you’ll want to keep it in plain view.

Know What Type of Heater You Have

It’s essential to know a few technical details about your water heater, including:

  • Whether it has a storage tank or not
  • Whether it runs on electricity, propane or natural gas
  • The make and model
  • The serial number

This information is useful when you’re trying to claim a warranty or hiring a plumber to perform a fix.

Keep the Immediate Area Clear

There are a few reasons why the space around the water heater should not be occluded. First of all, if your heater runs on natural gas, then it’s going to need a steady supply of oxygen to burn the gas. Smothering the surrounding area will limit the number of oxygen it receives, resulting in your water heater being highly inefficient.

Furthermore, it can cause damage to the unit and bring about leaking. If not addressed, your basement or attic may succumb to serious water damage as a result and tons of energy will be wasted as the unit will have to reheat water more often.

Perform a Flush Annually

It’s a good practice to drain a couple of gallons from your water heater each year with the use of a drain valve. If you observe quite a number of debris coming out with the water, you’ll need to completely flush your water tank. This will remove all impurities present. Make sure you turn down the temperature first as a precautionary measure.

And that’s four tips to help you improve your water heater’s overall health and efficiency.

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