Your hot water tank is one of the workhorses of your home and keeping it happy and healthy is essential if you want to enjoy a warm shower after a long day at the office. Here at Fry, we have been maintaining, repairing, and replacing hot water tanks for more than a generation. During that time, we have discovered several easy and inexpensive ways to increase your water heater's efficiency and longevity to keep your overall costs down. So, if you are interested in saving money and keeping your water heater functioning at its peak efficiency, let's get started.
Turn Down the Temperature
Over the years, we have noticed that many plumbers and homeowners will turn up the temperature of their hot water tank to ensure that their showers and sinks receive scalding hot water without thinking of the consequences. However, most tanks are not designed for continual high temperatures, and forcing the tank to stay hot can affect the longevity of its parts and lead to failures. Generally, you should maintain the temperature within the median temperature specified in the instruction manual, which is typically around 120 degrees. Any hotter, and you can risk burns for little ones or guests.
Insulate the Heater and the Pipes
If you are experiencing issues with your hot water, it might not be the tank at fault, and adding a little insulation can go a long way. Your plumber can work with you to provide insulation for the tank itself, helping to lower energy loss from an older tank. Additionally, they can insulate the copper or PVC pipes within the home to help deliver hot water to every spot without losing heat.
Fix Leaks or Issues Immediately
If your water heater is starting to leak or experiencing issues, the best thing you can do to extend its life is to make the necessary repairs as soon as possible. Like most home systems, leaks and breakdowns will escalate if not addressed, and tackling repairs as they occur will help limit the damage to the hot water tank unit. Water heater parts are not terribly expensive, and a repair from a seasoned plumber will cost less in the long run if done properly.
Be Mindful of Hot Water Use & Check your Tank Size
The vast majority of hot water tanks for residential homes are not designed to handle 10 showers a day for an extended period of time. If you are expanding your family or want to utilize your tank to its full capacity, you may want to consider an extended tank for your next replacement. Not only will this help save you money in terms of heating the tank, but it will also eliminate the need for constant refills and cycles that a smaller tank would have to endure.
Install Low-flow Fixtures
Low-flow fixtures, especially in busy bathrooms and kitchens, can be an excellent investment to help extend the life of your water heater. These fixtures will still require water, but will limit water use, thereby reducing the number of cycles your hot water tank needs to make on a given day. As a client, you can enjoy a lower electricity or gas bill while still having access to the hot water you need throughout the day.
Annual Maintenance
One of the best investments you can make for your hot water tank is getting a professional plumbing company to complete annual maintenance services on the unit itself. Annual maintenance will allow your plumber to catch issues before they become a problem and replace failing parts before they break the water heater itself. These checks will include an inspection of the burner, the tank itself and the anode rod inside. Additionally, it is normal to check the gas line and electrical line to ensure there are no leaks in or around the tank.
Expanding your water heater's efficiency really comes down to finding the right water heater for your needs and making some changes to your hot water use and upgrades around the home to help save you money. But the most important thing you can do to extend your water heater's life is to book an annual maintenance service in Toledo, OH. This maintenance is essential to keep your hot water tank working as designed. Whether you have a traditional tank or a tankless system, a Fry plumber can help ensure that your hot water system remains healthy and functional for years to come.
