As winter brings cold days, a water heater becomes an essential household appliance, ensuring you have hot water for every need. But, do you know how to use your water heater in a way that’s both safe and extends its life?
One key aspect of maintaining your water heater is cleaning it regularly. This prevents dirt buildup which can decrease its lifespan significantly. Fortunately, cleaning it isn’t as daunting as it might seem.
Most water heaters come with a convenient feature: a “hidden switch” known as the sediment discharge valve. By activating this switch, dirty water escapes into a basin, leaving your tank fresh and clean. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensuring your water heater runs efficiently:
Step-by-Step Guide for Cleaning:
Start by draining all the hot water in the tank to avoid any accidental burns. Then, ensure you switch off both the power and the water supply going to the tank.
Carefully detach the water supply pipe, the outlet pipe, and the safety valve. Once the water drains completely, gently turn the sediment discharge valve located near the inlet and outlet pipes. It’s crucial to handle this valve with care since it’s often linked to the Magnesium rod, which helps prevent rust and protects the tank’s inner surface.
Next, connect the water supply pipe to the water outlet pipe, allowing cold water to flush through the tank, effectively removing dirt alongside the water exiting from the sediment discharge valve.
After a swift 1-2 minute rinse, disconnect the pipes and reattach them as they were initially. If your Magnesium rod shows more than 60% corrosion, consider replacing it soon to avoid leaks or tank corrosion.
Experts advise cleaning your tank every six months to minimize dirt buildup effectively.
Energy-Saving Tips for Water Heaters
Select the Right Capacity: Choose a water heater with the appropriate capacity for your household. Opting for one that’s too large will lead to unnecessary electricity consumption.
Buy from Trustworthy Brands: Investing in a water heater from a reputable brand ensures you benefit from advanced technologies that often lead to energy savings and enhanced safety features.
Avoid Continuous Operation: Many people consider leaving their water heaters on 24/7 to save time, but this practice is wasteful and risky. Instead, turn it on 10-15 minutes before use only.
Adjust Heating Temperature: Reducing the water heater temperature can save energy. For instance, lowering the temperature by just 5°C can cut electricity usage by 3-5%. Aim for a comfortable setting around 36°C.
Installation Insights:
Position the water heater close to where it will be used to minimize heat loss through the piping. For gas-fired heaters, outdoor installation in places like balconies is beneficial for ventilation, preventing gas accumulation indoors.
Stay Safe with Grounding: Installing grounding wires is vital for conserving energy and protecting users in case of electrical leaks.
Routinely Check and Maintain: Regular inspections and maintenance go a long way in not only saving electricity but also ensuring safety. Utilize an electric tester to check any electrical issues early on to avoid larger problems and potential accidents.
