The long life and consistently reliable operation of our household water heater is something that many of us take for granted. In general, we put the water heater out of our minds on the day it gets installed, and then bask in the enjoyment of being able to turn on a faucet and have hot water whenever we want it. Did you know that your water heater should be cleaned on a regular (annual) basis for a variety of reasons?
Primary Benefits to Cleaning
The two main benefits to cleaning your water heater are. It will reduce the amount of sediment that builds up in the heater over time, and – by reducing this sediment – it will increase the water storage capacity of the heater back to or very near its original dimensions. An additional benefit to giving your water heater an annual cleaning is that by improving the efficiency of the equipment, you also save money in energy costs and water consumption. The last key benefit is that by performing routine cleaning (and replacing the anode tube when necessary), you can extend the life of your water heater by several years, thereby preventing you from incurring the cost of replacement on a more frequent basis.
The Process of Cleaning
Cleaning your water heater may sound more complicated than it is, but it just requires a little elbow grease to get your equipment back in top-notch shape. First, you will want to turn off the electricity and let the water cool. Second, connect a garden hose to the drain valve and let the tank empty. Third, flush a sediment dissolving solution (one that focuses on lime in particular, like CLR) through the water heater and let it soak for a few hours. Fourth, turn the heater back on and begin running water through a faucet until it is clean and clear of the cleaning agent you used.
So, in summary, here are the benefits to keeping your water heater clean:
• Reducing sediment build-up in the tank
• Increasing water storage capacity
• Eliminating foul odors (caused by bacteria)
• Improving the workload efficiency of the water heater
• Reducing your energy costs and water consumption
• Extending the life of your water heater (by years)
As you can see, cleaning your water heater has several benefits, all of which translate to giving you greater comfort and enjoyment in your home, savings in your wallet, and peace of mind knowing that your equipment is being maintained in such a way as to keep it operational for as long as possible. Need help? Call the experts at Absolute Precision Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning today.
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