Winter is often the hardest time of the year for a water heater. With the busy holidays behind you, the new year is an excellent time to schedule a maintenance appointment. A tune-up will maximize energy efficiency and lower your operating costs. Routine maintenance will also help you avoid the most common repairs and extend the life of your system.

Flushing the Tank

For traditional storage water heaters, annual tank flushing is highly recommended. This is because sediment and limescale build up in the tank over time. Left to accumulate, those substances impact energy efficiency and undermine components. Scale, in particular, is among the leading causes of shortened water heater lifespans. Our plumber will connect a hose to the drain valve and empty the tank. Once we’ve removed all the sediment and limescale, we’ll refill the tank with clean water.

Sacrificial Anode Rod

Tank water heaters have a sacrificial anode rod. This rod attracts minerals and corrosion through electrolysis. That process slows the accumulation of corrosion, scale, and sediment. The issue is that the rod itself corrodes and eventually requires replacement. The usual anode rod lifespan is between three and five years. We’ll check the health of your anode rod and, if necessary, swap it out for a new one.

Descaling Instant Water Heaters

On-demand water heaters don’t have tanks to accumulate limescale, but it’s still a big problem. Limescale can devastate a tankless water heater more quickly than a traditional unit. Descaling is the process of using a recirculating pump to cycle a cleaning agent through the system. Doing so will remove scale from the heat exchanger and valves. If your home has hard water, you may want to consider installing an anti-scale device or a water softener.

Insulation

All water heaters require insulation. It’s most important on the hot water line that runs from your water heater to the home’s plumbing. Without adequate insulation, you can lose significant energy through that pipe. Our plumber will check the insulation and replace it as needed. Do you need additional insulation? Fuel-burning units generally do not, as any other heat loss occurs through the ventilation. That isn’t the case with electric water heaters. For them, installing a water heater jacket and an insulated base may be a good idea.

Thermostat

It’s also necessary to check the thermostat once a year and calibrate it as needed. All water heaters have at least one thermostat, and some have two. It’s a critical part, and even a relatively minor problem can cost you big on your water heating bill each month.

To start the new year with water heater maintenance in Laurel, MD, call All Clear Plumbing and Drain Service at your earliest convenience.