Your water heater truly is one of the most essential items in your entire house. It provides so much comfort and convenience, and yet so many homeowners take it totally for granted. It works so well that homeowners don’t make much of an effort to look after it. There are plenty of ways you can care for you water heater and also get more out of it. We’re here to help you with saving money and boosting efficiency. Here are some of our top tips to get the most out of your water heater:
Consider Tank Insulation For Your Water Heater
There are ways to insulate your water heater, regardless of whether it’s an electric, oil, or gas heater, in order to make it more efficient. Insulation preserves heat, meaning that there is less work to do overall and doesn’t need to fire up as often to re-heat the water. This can be a delicate procedure, however, so it’s wise to get the advice of a trusted plumber before proceeding.
Turn It Down
Many manufacturers actually set the water heater thermostats higher than they really need to be. Turning the thermostat down by around 15-25 degrees won’t make any real difference to your own comfort, but it will put less pressure on the heater itself, reduce the chance of corrosion and mineral deposits, and save you a lot of cash on heating bills as well.
Cut Down The Use Of Your Water Heater
Each time you head for the faucet, ask yourself whether you really need to make use of hot water or not. Often, people tend to rely a little too heavily on hot water when it isn’t really needed. For simple daily routine moments like washing one’s hands or brushing one’s teeth, the hot water doesn’t really need to be used, and making little efforts like this can go a long way to preserving your water heating and cutting down on your overall heating bill.
Drain The Tank
Draining the tank on an annual basis is a good way to look after your water heater. All you need is a bucket or hose, and you can drain a few gallons out of the heater or drain it entirely depending on your plumber’s recommendation. You can also call in a plumber for annual check-ups of your heater to ensure that everything is in working order and there are no warning signs to worry about.
Upgrade Your Appliances
Appliances like a washing machine or dishwasher can drain a lot of energy from your water heater and affect its long-term lifespan. Modern and energy efficient appliances will be much kinder overall, using less water, being more efficient, saving you money, and helping to keep you water heater safe in the long term too.
Don’t Leave It Too Late
Water heaters last about 10 years maximum. After that, homeowners need to consider replacement. If you go over this limit, you’re running a big risk, as a faulty heater can cause leaks, flooding, or simply break down and leave you without any hot water at all. Don’t wait for that to happen; replace your old heater when the time is right.
