This is a collaborative post.
You might be reading this because you’re considering water heater repair for your home. It can be a costly affair, and this is one of those cases in which prevention is a whole heck of a lot better than cure.
All of this stuff is fairly simple to do, but it does require a little diligence on your part. At the end of the day, it’s going to be saving you dollars, so it’s well worth the added hassle. Here are some basic tips that will help keep your water heater working for a long time.
Keep the Temp Down
Most people have their heaters set way too high. There’s no ordinary need to have the water heater boiling away for hour after hour, and lowering the temperature will, without doubt, extend the life of the machine.
Adjusting your thermostat to around 120 degrees is hot enough for almost any usage needs, and you’ll not only be extending the life of your heater but lowering your utility bills at the same time.
If you’re away for an extended time, it makes a lot of sense to turn off the heat altogether. Most water heater models have a built-in function for this purpose, so you can simply switch the settings that way.
Regular Checks
Keeping up minor maintenance checks is crucial for all your appliances, and it’s true of your water heater too. An annual check on the pressure release valve is one of these checks. Activate it a couple of times, and then watch for a while to note any leakage.
Similarly, the sacrificial anode rod needs to be inspected every few years. Taking off the hex screw at the top will allow you access. If too much copper is exposed, if the rod is too narrow, or if there’s a calcium build-up, you’ll have to replace it.
If your heater is getting on in years, it could also be helpful to get some insulation to wrap around it. This is a great way to eliminate wasteful usage and keep things working at optimal levels.
Keep the Area Clear
Finally, it’s a good idea to keep the area free and clear. By this, we mean you should have a couple of feet of clearance all the way around the unit, wherever possible. This has several advantages.
It allows you to easily access the unit for any minor repairs and checks along the way and also keeps the area free of anything that might interfere with its overall functioning. The less the clutter, the better it is all around.
Some Final Words
We all like to save a little money, but we also like to avoid doing the needed maintenance tasks around the house. It’s a catch-22! The only way to achieve the former is to overcome the latter. There’s no substitute for elbow grease.
Not only will you save money on the replacement of parts, or even the entire unit, but the utility costs soon add up as well. Think about how much annual savings you could make, with just a few dollars off each month!
