When the weather cools and fall approaches, it’s the perfect time to get your home ready for winter. Fall water heater maintenance is an important step in keeping your home running smoothly. But the exact care your system needs depends on whether you have a gas or an electric water heater. In this post, we’ll break down essential water heater maintenance services and how they differ between gas and electric models.
Adjust Temperature Settings
Both gas and electric heaters should have their thermostats addressed by a professional. It’s important to ensure the device reaches the desired temperature and is calibrated properly to prevent scalding. The ideal temperature is around 120 degrees F for maximum efficiency.
Add Insulation
Insulating your water heater, whether it is gas or electric, can help reduce utility costs and improve your system’s output. Insulation prevents standby heat loss, which means you have greater access to hot water for a lower price of heating.
Address Strange Noises
Any sounds like popping, hissing or screeching from a gas or an electric water heater need to be investigated. A licensed plumber will be able to troubleshoot the issue, diagnose the root cause and fix the problem quickly. This also helps prevent future breakdowns or sudden mechanical failures that could be dangerous or cause property damage.
Check the T&P Valve
Electric and gas water heaters both have a temperature and pressure relief valve, or the T&P valve for short. Inspecting it during maintenance ensures that the water heater can effectively release pressure when the internal temperature reaches a certain point. This prevents explosions and breakdowns.
Electric Water Heater Maintenance
Water heaters that are powered by electricity work by heating electrical elements in the tank to warm the water. Because of this design, it’s important to have electrical elements, such as wiring and connections, closely inspected by a professional during maintenance. They’ll look for issues like frayed wires or burnt spots, and they’ll make sure your water heater is fully connected and optimized for performance.
Gas Water Heater Maintenance
Water heaters powered by gas use a pilot light to keep water hot. Maintenance involves checking the pilot light to ensure it’s consistently lit and burning blue, not yellow or orange, as these colors indicate dirty burners.
A critical part of gas water heater maintenance is inspecting the venting system to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Any blockages, rust or loose connections should be repaired right away.
Gas water heaters also benefit from routine tank flushes. These remove excess sediment from the base of the tank and help prevent blockages and corrosion.
Give your water heater the care it needs to work perfectly, no matter its design. Call the experts at The Plumber in Mesa, AZ, who are well-versed in every type of water heater, so we can keep your home running smoothly year-round.
