Your water heater runs every day quietly and out of sight, making it easy to ignore. Many homeowners never think about their water heater until the shower runs cold or the floor around it is wet. By then, the repair options are limited and more expensive.
The good news is that a water heater is one of the easiest appliances in the house to take care of. A little attention twice a year can add years to the unit’s life and lower your energy bill. Here is what to do, and when to do it.
Why Water Heater Maintenance Matters
Water heating accounts for a large portion of a typical home’s energy use. The U.S. Department of Energy puts it at roughly 18 percent of the average utility bill. Regularly maintaining your tank can help it run more efficiently and lower your bill.
Sediment is the main cause of water heaters not running efficiently and not lasting as long. Minerals in the water go to the bottom of the tank and create a shell over the burner. That shell makes it harder for the burner to heat the water. The burner fires longer, the steel overheats, and the tank fails early.
Much of our service area sits on well water or moderately hard municipal supply. Homes in Queen Anne’s County and around Lewes tend to see sediment build faster than homes on softened water. If you hear popping or rumbling when the unit fires, that noise might be sediment.
Monthly Visual Inspection
- Feel the floor for moisture.
- Check the base of the tank for rust streaks.
- Look at the pipe connections above it for white mineral crust.
- Check the pilot light on a gas model. The flame should be blue and steady, not yellow or flickering.
Make sure nothing is stored against the unit. Paint cans, cardboard, and laundry baskets crowded around a gas water heater are a fire risk and block combustion air.
Twice a Year Homeowner Maintenance
Turn the unit to pilot or vacation mode before you drain anything, and let the water cool for half an hour first.
- Flush a few gallons of water from the tank. Connect a garden hose to the valve near the bottom of the tank. Route the other end of the hose outside or to a drain, and open the valve to empty two or three gallons. If the water looks dirty, keep going until it clears. This alone slows sediment buildup dramatically.
- Test the tank’s temperature and pressure (T&P) valve. Set a bucket under the discharge pipe, lift the lever on the T&P valve for a second, and let it snap back. You should hear a rush of water into the discharge pipe. If nothing happens, or if the valve drips afterward, it needs to be replaced. That valve is the only thing standing between a stuck thermostat and a serious accident.
- Check the thermostat setting. Most units are set at 140 degrees when installed. Lowering the thermostat setting to 120 degrees saves energy, reduces scald risk, and slows mineral deposits.
Once a Year: Professional Water Heater Service
Some water heater maintenance needs a technician. The anode rod is the best example. That sacrificial magnesium or aluminum rod corrodes so the tank does not. Pulling and inspecting it takes a breaker bar, clearance above the tank, and the judgment to know when it should be done.
Annual water heater service also covers a full tank flush, a combustion and draft check on gas models, element and thermostat testing on electric models, gas line and connection inspection, and a look at the expansion tank if you have one. Adding it to a preventive maintenance plan means it happens without you having to remember.
Signs You Need Service Sooner
Do not wait for the annual visit if you notice any of the following.
- Hot water runs out faster than it used to
- Rusty or discolored water from hot taps only
- Popping, rumbling, or kettling sounds during a heating cycle
- Water pooling anywhere near the base
- The pilot light will not stay lit
- The water has a rotten egg smell
Rust colored water and standing moisture are the two that need a call right away. A tank that has rusted through cannot be repaired.
When Repair Stops Making Sense
Conventional tank units generally last 8 to 12 years. Tankless units often run 20 or more. Most manufacturers encode the build date in the first four digits of the serial number on the data plate.
If the unit is past ten years and needs a major component, replacement is usually the better math. Newer high-efficiency models qualify for utility rebates in both Maryland and Delaware. ENERGY STAR lists qualifying equipment, and we can walk you through financing and rebate options. We install and service Rheem equipment along with most other major brands.
Schedule Your Water Heater Maintenance
Water heaters tend to quit on the coldest weekend of the year. Getting ahead of it costs a fraction of what an emergency replacement does.
ClimateCare has offices in Crofton, Grasonville, and Lewes, and we service large portions of Maryland and Delaware. See our full service area to confirm we cover your neighborhood.
Call (410) 921-3838 in Maryland, (302) 342-0001 in Delaware, or request a free estimate online.
