Quick guide for water heater maintenance at home

Water heaters or geysers are an essential electrical appliance in most homes, especially in cold weather conditions. These appliances are used to heat water and maintain it an elevated temperature. It is important to carry out regular inspection and maintenance of such appliances to ensure they operate efficiently and serve for a long time.

See also: A detailed guide to electric water heater installation

 

How does a water heater work?

An electrical heater is designed with an electrical-resistant heating element inside a water tank. When the appliance is switched on, current is allowed to pass through the heating element. The thermostat is used to control the water temperature.

 

Water heater maintenance: Procedure

Drain the water heater

• Switch off the water heater and connect a garden hose to its drain outlet near the base. Keep the other end of the hose in a large bucket or floor drain.
• Opening the drain spigot of the bottom to flush sediments and let water flow till it appears clear.
• Water will drain in around 20-25 minutes.

Adjust the temperature

• In case of a gas water heater, you can adjust the temperature using the thermostat located on the tank.
• In an electric water heater, turn off power by flipping the breaker at the service panel.
• Pull back any insulation, which will expose the thermostat.
• Change the thermostat temperature in 10-degree increments with the help of a screwdriver.
• Close the panel and turn the power supply. You can check the temperature after one hour.

 

 

Open access panel

• Lift the access panel of a gas water heater, which is at the bottom of the tank.
• Remove the heat shield and inspect if there is a flame. If there is no flame, shut off the gas supply valve.
• Let the excess gas disperse by blowing gently into the opening. Relight the pilot.

Relight the pilot

• Turn the knob in the control box to the ‘Pilot’.
• Relight the water heater by pushing the pilot light button. Else, hold a lit fireplace match or lighter to the pilot access opening.
• Press and hold down the reset button on the control box for a minute after the pilot ignites.
• Turn on the control knob.

Replace the access panel

 

How to know if water heater needs repair?

• Improper maintenance, faulty pressure relief valves, corrosion, sediment build up, etc., can lead to water leakage.
• There could be frequent fluctuations in water temperature.
• Overheating causes the water tank to be hot to touch.
• Sediment build-up in the tank can make the water appear discoloured.
• There are unusual sounds such as hissing in the system.

 

Water heater maintenance: Benefits

• There could be accumulation of sediments and mineral deposits inside a tank. Draining and flushing the tank removes these deposits and maintains the water quality.
• A well-maintained water heater will need less energy to operate, thus reducing electricity bills.
• Carrying out maintenance checks and repairs help resolve problems, increasing the lifespan of the appliance.
• Maintenance helps tackle unexpected malfunctions, such as gas leaks, faulty pressure relief valves, etc., ensuring safety.
• Regular inspections will help prevent any expensive repairs.

 

Water heater maintenance: Tips

• Flush the water heater every six months. Flush it more frequently if there is high sediment build up.
• A loose drain valve may also result in water leakage. Use a wrench to fix it.
• Insulate pipes and the heater if the appliance is old. You can go for foam pipe insulation, based on the pipes’ diameter. Insulation also helps save on energy and costs in the long run.
• Tankless water heater requires little maintenance, once a year.
• Go for energy-efficient water heaters, which will save electricity bills.

 

FAQs

Do instant hot water heaters need maintenance?

Regular maintenance of water heaters helps improve their efficiency and prevents any major repairs.

What happens if you don't maintain your water heater?

If water heater is not maintained, it can result in expensive repairs later. Moreover, if the system is 15 years old or more, you must check whether it needs replacement.

How do you know when hot water heater needs to be replaced?

Some of the signs to know if your water heater needs to be replaced are leaks and rusty water caused due to corrosion, water having a metallic smell due to sediment build up, frequent repairs, etc.

What are the disadvantages of electric water heaters?

Storage water heaters can cause wastage of up to 15% of energy through radiant heat loss. They provide limited hot water supply when used for extended periods. Tankless systems may be more complex, and their installation can be expensive. Further, electric water heaters have a slower heating time.

Which is better geyser or heater?

Geysers are quite popular as they are compact and easy to maintain. Moreover, they have a longer lifespan.

What is the life of electric water heater?

An electric water heater can last for 10 to 15 years.

Which consumes more electricity heater or geyser?

Storage geysers can heat large volume of water and maintain the temperature in a tank. Thus, they consume more power compared to instant water heaters that heat water when required.

What are the types of water heaters available in the market?

Some types of water heaters available in the market include gas water heaters, instant water heaters, storage water heaters and solar water heaters.

How often should you drain water heater?

It is ideal to drain the water heater at least once a year, which helps maintain the water quality by removing deposits.

Can water heaters last 20 years?

Some types of water heaters such as tankless water heaters have a lifespan of 20 years or more.

Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at [email protected]