Just like your HVAC system, your water heater’s efficiency and performance is largely affected by how well you take care of it. Below are some water heater maintenance tasks San Francisco area homeowners can do to keep their water heaters running smoothly.
- Keep the temperature down. For your own safety and to maximize the efficiency of your water heater, the temperature should always be set around 120 degrees or lower. Any time you’re performing maintenance on your unit, make sure that the temperature is set correctly.
- Drain your tank annually. Over time, sediment from your home’s water supply will build up on the bottom of the tank. Not only does this decrease your unit’s efficiency, but it also causes your water heater to run louder than normal. To avoid this, drain your water heater at least once a year.
- Test the temperature-pressure relief valve. Every water heater has a temperature-pressure relief valve that is designed to release water if the temperature or pressure inside of the unit gets too high. When performing water heater maintenance, lift the lever on the valve to make sure that it releases water and is functioning properly.
- Check the condition of the anode rod. An anode rod is an aluminum or magnesium rod that sticks through the top of your water heater down into your tank. Its purpose is to prevent corrosion on the inside of your water heater. During water heater maintenance, remove and inspect your anode rod. If over six inches of its steel-wire core is exposed, or if it’s covered in calcium, you’ll want to change out the rod.
- Check for water leaks. If your water heater is leaking, it could indicate a problem with one of your unit’s valves or excess pressure or temperature inside your tank. As with any water leak in your home, it’s important to fix a leaking water heater as soon as possible.
Cabrillo is currently running a special on water heater refurbishments that will take care of all of the maintenance listed above along with a number of other tasks that will extend the life of your unit. If you’d like to schedule a water heater refurbishment, or if you have any questions about water heater maintenance, contact Cabrillo, your San Francisco plumbing, heating and cooling company. We service the San Francisco area and surrounding cities like Orinda, Lafayette, Menlo Park and Los Altos.