Caring for Your Water Heater

A water heater may be taken for granted until something goes wrong. Having a warm bubble bath, a hot shower and washing your dishes are all made possible by this household appliance. There are different types including tankless water heaters, those powered by electricity, natural gas or propane. These devices come in different sizes with varying abilities to heat H2O as well as at different speeds. In order to keep yours cranking out the heated liquid, it’s important to take good care of it. Here are some things to think about:

- Energy source: Those that are powered by electricity are convenient but may be pricey to operate depending on how large the tank is. Many rural locations have propane containers in the yard that are filled by the propane company before being piped into the home to energize the appliance. Natural gas is delivered from the centralized company location, piped into the neighborhood and then into each home. It’s wise to do a price comparison to see which will be best for your region and uses. The source will also depend on availability within your home. Some houses are set up for all options while others are not.

-Size: How many household inhabitants will be bathing and showering? How many sinks full of dishes need to be washed? Is there a dishwasher? All of these factors will impact the decision of how large of a tank should be installed. Some are fairly small and only hold a few gallons while others hold 20, 30, or 40 gallons. It’s important to have the proper size in order to not overwork the heating element.
-Insulation: An insulation blanket can be purchased at the local hardware store to keep the H2O’s hot temps hotter with less energy usage. This will lower utility bills as well as not overwork the unit. Overuse will not only cause higher utility bills but will also cause the system to wear out sooner.

-Draining and cleaning debris: It is especially important to drain and clean out your unit regularly in regions with hard water, mineral deposits and problems with sediment. This often occurs in rural areas that operate on well water. In order to do this, first drain the tank then use a garden hose to flush out the system and refill it. Without this regular maintenance, these heaters will clog up and break down much sooner.

-Softeners: Installing a softener may prolong the life of your appliance if the local water is extremely hard. This is an initial outlay of cash but will be worth it over the long run. Not only will appliances last longer, but clothes will get cleaner and hair will be softer after shampooing.

The hot water heater in a home is a luxurious item as well as a necessity. When yours goes out, you suddenly appreciate being able to jump in the shower, wash your clothes or do your laundry. Without it, especially in dish-washing, family members may catch more illnesses because pots, pans, dishes and utensils retain bacteria not killed by hot H2O.