A water heater is one of the most important pieces of equipment in your home. It has the important job of heating the water that you and your family use for bathing, cooking, cleaning and other daily tasks. However, to keep it running efficiently and safely, you need to service it regularly. Regular water heater service will help avoid costly repairs in the future. When your water heater breaks or leaks, it can be inconvenient and costly to fix. And if left unchecked, it can lead to serious health risks like scalding and carbon monoxide poisoning. Fortunately, most water heaters last for 10 to 15 years before needing to be replaced. That said, it’s important to have yours checked out by a professional at least once a year to make sure it’s working properly, as well as to find out if there are any repairs or replacements that need to be done before the end of its lifespan. Here’s what you need to know about water heater maintenance and when you should perform it.
Water heater service appointments generally fall into one of three categories: inspection, cleaning or repair. During an inspection, you’ll likely have your water heater’s gas regulator checked, as well as the thermostat and its associated temperature-control mechanism. These are important pieces of equipment that help regulate the amount of gas going into the water heater. If your water heater has a plastic or rubber float switch instead of a thermostat, a technician will use a special tool to check the switch for water pressure. If your water heater has an electric or hybrid water heater, there is no need to have a technician inspect it for gas pressure. In either case, a technician will check the water heater’s water level. If the water level is too low, there may be a problem with the water heater’s fill valve.
Whether you’re in the middle of winter or summer, it’s important to know which type of water heater you have and when to service it.Rainwater-storage tank - A rainwater-storage tank is a great way to reduce the amount of water you use to landscape, water your garden or fill your swimming pool. However, these tanks are not designed to be used as a primary source of hot water in your home. Rainwater-storage tanks require a large amount of space and can be very expensive, especially if you want to install a high-capacity tank.If you have a rainwater-storage tank, you should have a professional check its water level at least once a year to make sure it isn’t running low. If there’s less than two inches of water in the tank, the water may not be hot enough to comfortably use for bathing, cleaning and other hot water tasks.- Electric water heaters - Electric water heaters can be a great choice if you want to reduce your water use or make a budget-friendly upgrade to your home’s hot-water supply system. Some electric water heaters can be programmed to turn on and off automatically to reduce energy usage. However, an electric water heater may not be a good fit if you live in a house that doesn’t have easy access to an electrical outlet. If you want to use a hybrid water heater, you’ll still have to schedule a service appointment at least once a year to make sure it’s running properly.- Natural gas water heaters - Natural gas water heaters are probably the most common type of water heater. They come in different sizes and are typically installed by a professional. If you have a natural gas water heater, you’ll typically have a gas supply valve in your home’s crawlspace or basement. You can turn the supply off remotely with a timer or thermostat, or you can have a technician come out to service the unit if it breaks down.
The general rule is that you should replace your water heater before the 10-year mark. However, there are many factors to consider when deciding when to replace your water heater, including the number of people in your home, the type of water fixtures in your home and the type of water heater you have installed.If you have a large family or live in a high-rise or high-occupancy building, your water heater will be running non-stop. These households typically have larger water demands, which can shorten the lifespan of your water heater. If you have a water softener, you’ll also want to consider the salt content in the water when deciding when to replace your water heater — especially if you have a salt-water softener that uses a large amount of salt.If you’re on a budget, it’s best to wait until your water heater is 10 years old, but if you’re in the process of selling your home and want to make the sale as soon as possible, you may want to consider replacing your water heater sooner.
The most important part of having a water heater serviced is making the appointment. If your water heater breaks or leaks, it can be inconvenient and costly to fix. And if left unchecked, it can lead to serious health risks like scalding and carbon monoxide poisoning. Fortunately, most water heaters last for 10 to 15 years before needing to be replaced.That said, it’s important to have yours checked out by a professional at least once a year to make sure it’s working properly, as well as to find out if there are any repairs or replacements that need to be done before the end of its lifespan. If your water heater breaks or leaks, it can be inconvenient and costly to fix. And if left unchecked, it can lead to serious health risks like scalding and carbon monoxide poisoning.