Ways to Make Your Water Heater More Efficient

Flush your Water Heater

Our trusty water heaters are one of the many utilities we use daily. Despite its importance, we must often remember to give these facilities and maintenance. We want to change that by providing expert information about water heaters and how to keep them running efficiently. Rule number one for standard heaters is to remember that minerals like magnesium and calcium build up in your heater’s tank over time. This sediment will eventually settle at the bottom of your tank and then harden, forming brittle layers that can lead to damage. Generally, the more residue, the more your tank will build up pressure causing it to overheat and rupture.

Our technicians recommend draining the water from your heater once a year. Removing this buildup helps your heater run more efficiently. Additionally, this maintenance will help prevent all the problems a clogged water heater can cause. You may also be saving money by avoiding expensive repair bills. If you have the right tools, it should be reasonably simple to drain and flush your tank by yourself. Another alternative is having a trained professional do it as a maintenance service for the water heater.

Fix All Water Leaks

We all know that water leaks are a nuisance. Unnoticed leaks are one of the most common plumbing problems that people face. What’s worse, they can cause considerable damage to the overall integrity of your home or business. Immense damage aside, even a tiny faucet can waste over 1,500 gallons of water in a year (roughly adding more than $35 to your water bills.)

All this wasted water can affect your water heater. The more hot water that leaks out of pipes, the more your water heater has to produce. Your unit has to run longer and, thus, use more energy and increase monthly utility bills. “How do I locate these leaks, and how do I fix them?” It should come as no surprise that leaks that affect your water heater usually start and are primarily located around it. The temperature-pressure relief and drain valves are the most susceptible to springing a leak. We suggest inspecting your water heater once a month for any water collecting or pooling around the unit.

Keep Your Water Heater And Pipes Insulated

The longer the water travels to its destination, the longer it will have time to cool in the pipes—heat leaks away from your lines and your water tank. When you lose heat in your pipes, the water tank will heat more water to compensate for the lack of hot water. The more you warm, the longer and harder your water heater works. You can alleviate the extra strain by insulating your pipes and the tank. Properly insulated plumbing materials will hold heat longer and raise water temperature by 4-5 degrees. Installing a recirculating pump can take your water heating needs one step further. If you struggle to get adequate hot water, we highly recommend consulting a local water heater plumber to learn more.

Lower Your Actual Water Temperature

Most people need to realize that every water heater has its built-in thermostat. This thermostat tells the system how much it needs to heat the water in its tank. The hotter your system heats the water, the longer it runs, using more power. If your water gets hot quickly or seems extremely hot, check your thermostat’s thermostat. Turning down the degrees can make things easier on your heater while saving money. A good rule of thumb is to set your thermostat at about 120-125 degrees. Like your HVAC system, lowering your water heating temperature can help you save about 5% on your heating costs every year. That number may sound small, but this could translate to a surprising amount of money in a year.

As we mentioned above, it may be easy to remember the performance of your water heater. Especially when you do not think there’s anything wrong with it. We invite you to take this simple advice to help keep your water heater at its best efficiency at all times. If you need any help conducting these procedures, please get in touch with one of our trusted plumbing and heating experts to get a consultation within 24 hours.