Our Victoria Plumbers Guide to Water Heater Maintenance
Spending a small amount of time and resources on water heater upkeep can reduce your plumbing repair costs and ensure your system operates more efficiently for the years ahead. To help you with this important home project, our Victoria, BC plumbers present their guide to water heater maintenance.
What is the Lifespan of a Water Heater?
When you maintain your water heater according to the highest standards, you can expect your heater to perform efficiently for 10-to-15 years. Gas-powered water heaters tend to have a slightly shorter lifetime than electric heaters, due to having more parts that can break down, corrode, and rust, which leads to leaks in the tank.
Tankless water heaters have an efficient performance life of about 20 years and often fail because of the heat exchanger leaking due to corrosion.
Now, let’s explore how to keep your water heater performing efficiently for the years to come.
Drain Your Water Heater Annually
According to the latest Canadian government data, water heating now accounts for 17.2% of the energy used in the average Canadian home.
Sediment and debris from minerals within your water can corrode the tank and decrease its operating efficiency. To prevent long-standing performance issues, flush or drain the tank at least once a year.
Make sure you have a qualified Victoria area plumber take on the tank draining process, as trying to do so yourself may void your tank warranty and potentially damage the water heater and the surrounding area of your home. Tank draining is included within the annual maintenance service for your water heater.
Reduce the Temperature
Most homeowners have their water heater set at a higher temperature than is required. Your water heater temperature may be as high as 150°F when 120°F is often enough to heat water for hot showers and dishwasher use. Review the water heater’s current temperature setting and lower it to 120 F to reduce your heating costs over the months ahead.
Book Your Annual Professional Inspection
One mistake homeowners make is avoiding the annual water heater inspection. During a professional analysis, your Victoria plumbers will catch costly issues in the early stages. They will be able to locate a leak in the water tank that might otherwise cause thousands of dollars in damage. The local plumbing company will also be able to detect issues with water pressure, which might impact the home over several years.
Within a one-hour home water inspection, your plumber will be able to pinpoint and fix problems to keep your home safe and running efficiently.
Another element to consider is the water tank warranty. Depending on the make of the unit, hot water tanks are sold with a 6-to-8-year manufacturer’s tank and parts warranty. Annual inspection and service for your tank is often a requirement of maintaining the warranty.
Clean the Air Filter
Your water heater’s air filter helps prevent dust and grime from getting into the heating system and reducing heating performance. To clean the filter, turn off the pilot light and then remove the filter by releasing the catch. Blow compressed air on the air filter to remove excess dust and grime.
You can also use a water spray to clean the filter. But make sure the filter is completely dry before reattaching it to your water heater.
While you can likely handle minor maintenance alone, call our Victoria plumbers directly if you have any questions about your water heater’s performance. Don’t attempt to take on water heater maintenance unless you’re comfortable with the process.
We have years of experience serving homeowners throughout Greater Victoria and can help answer your questions, provide peace of mind, and ensure you get the most value for money from your heating equipment.
Call our trusted team directly today at 250-514-4044 or contact our plumbers online if you have any water heater questions or emergency service needs.