Even if your water heater is brand new, the cold temperatures of winter will force it to work hard. This is especially true if it’s in an uninsulated basement or crawlspace. The good news is that there are simple and even inexpensive things you can do to protect your water heater from the worst of winter.

Insulate Your Water Heater and Its Pipes

If your water heater has to work in a chilly basement, you don’t have to insulate the basement. All you need to do is buy an insulating blanket for the tank at your hardware store. You can also buy inexpensive foam insulating sleeves for the pipes going to the tank. Make sure you or your plumber inspects the insulation before the start of the cold season to make sure it’s still in good shape. If it’s worn out, simply replace it.

Have Your Water Heater Checked Before the Cold

Another way to make sure your water heater gets through winter is to have it checked by a professional plumber. These plumbers can spot small problems and troubleshoot them before they grow large and expensive to fix. Few things are more frustrating than a water heater that doesn’t deliver hot water, or any water, during a frigid winter night.

Keep the Air Circulating

Your instinct during the winter might be to not only insulate the water heater and its pipes but to close up the vents. This is a mistake, especially if your heater is powered by propane or gas. These heaters need clear vents and flues to enable combustion and then to send exhaust outside. If there’s no ventilation, the tank might not work at all. An even more dangerous situation is if exhaust gas isn’t allowed to vent to the outside. This can cause a buildup of deadly carbon monoxide gas that human senses can’t detect. Make sure that the vents and flues stay clear throughout the winter.

Make the Water Temperature a Little Higher

Plumbing professionals suggest that the temperature of your water heater be set at 120 degrees Fahrenheit. However, during a hard winter you might want to raise it about 5 degrees. This makes sure your water stays hot but doesn’t pose a scalding risk. It also won’t raise your energy bills overmuch or make your water heater work too hard.

Winters here are often brutal, and they can wreak havoc on your water heater. If you need tips on how to help your water heater get through the winter unscathed or any other water heater service, don’t hesitate to call our plumbers at The Plumber AZ of Mesa, AZ.