Your Water Heater Needs Seasonal Maintenance: Here's How
When the seasons shift and it's time to start thinking about preventive maintenance for your HVAC system, expand your attention a little further to appliances such as your water heater. With regular maintenance, your water heater will run more efficiently, at a lower cost, and at a higher level of safety.Flush the tankDuring normal use, sediments and other material will accumulate in the bottom of your water heater's storage tank. Removing these sediments helps prevent damaging rust and corrosion within your water heater. A clean tank also improves system efficiency, which reduces the amount you pay every month for hot-water expenses.A complete tank flush should be performed as part of seasonal preventive maintenance. You can occasionally perform a smaller-scale flush by following these steps:
Locate the drain valve near the bottom of the tank. It will likely look like a faucet or similar type of plumbing fixture.
Put an empty bucket under the drain.
The drain may have a handle or a large slot in a valve designed to be turned by a flat-blade screwdriver. Turn the handle or slotted valve to start a flow of water into the bucket.
Drain a few gallons of water from the tank, then shut off the valve and empty the bucket.
Test temperature and pressure (T&P) valveYou should test T&P valve of your water heater regularly to make sure it works properly. The T&P valve is designed to release internal pressure if the water in the heater gets too hot or develops too much pressure. This prevents the water heater from bursting and causing damage or injury.To test the valve, lift up on the handle and release it. The valve should quickly snap back into place, accompanied by a gurgling sound of water moving into the drain. If the valve returns to position slowly or not at all, have your HVAC technician replace it immediately.HVAC customers in Tulsa and Broken Arrow can count on Air Assurance for reliable, expert HVAC sales, maintenance and repair. Contact us today for more information on maintaining your water heater or to schedule a professional maintenance inspection for your hot-water system.Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Image courtesy of Shutterstock