Winter Tips for Your Water Heater
In the winter, your water heater needs a little special care and attention. During the winter months, your water heater works harder than ever. Not only is water coming in colder from the outside, but you may want to increase the temperature of your showers and baths to help you warm up after a long, cold day. Be proactive in caring for your water heater! Try these steps to keep your water heater in great condition throughout the winter months.
1. Check your temperature.
Sure, your water heater is working harder to get your shower and cleaning water to the optimal temperature, but that doesn’t mean hotter is necessarily better. Keep your water temperature set to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to help avoid scalding and burning, especially if you have small children in your home. Don’t give in to the temptation to turn the heat up for the winter, which could just increase your risk of suffering burns.
2. Flush your water heater.
Over weeks and months of use, sediment from the water settles into the tank of your water heater, decreasing its efficiency and making it work harder to keep up with your demands. Annual flushing can help increase its efficiency and its lifetime. Simply attach a hose to the drain valve, find a safe place for your water heater to drain, and let it run out. If you aren’t comfortable doing it yourself, you can hire a professional to take care of it for you.
3. Add insulation.
If you’re constantly struggling with high energy bills or water that just isn’t warm enough, consider the benefits of adding insulation to both water heaters with and without tanks. A little extra insulation can help keep that temperature high and decrease the effort your water heater has to put forth.
4. Schedule maintenance.
You can check your anode rod and pressure release valve for yourself, but if you aren’t comfortable with these basic maintenance tasks, schedule an inspector to come out and do it for you! This simple step can ensure that your water heater keeps functioning at peak efficiency all winter long.
Do you need a professional to help maintain or examine your water heater? Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.