Use This Checklist For Water Heater Maintenance

Unlike an air conditioner or furnace, you use your home water heater all year round. That's why it's vital to keep it running smoothly month after month. The best way to do this is by performing regular maintenance on your water heater. Use the following checklist to make that task a little easier this fall:

Turn Off The Heat: Whether the tank is gas or electric, turn off its heating source the night before. If that is too inconvenient, do it at least 30 minutes prior to working on the water heater.
Check All Valves: Before you begin, inspect all of the valves. Don't miss the temperature and pressure valves. Lift the lever slightly, and you should hear the sound of water running into the drain tube.
Check For Leaks: Use a solution of dish soap and warm water. Apply it generously to all joints and pipes while watching for bubbles to appear.
Drain Your Water Heater: Close the incoming-water valve, connect a hose to the drain valve and run the water out. Don't forget to open a hot water faucet inside the house to allow air in.
Remove Any Buildup: Once all of the water is out, locate the clean-hole and use a flashlight to look inside. Look for soot, rust or sediment. If you do, use hot water to clean the tank or contact Valley Heating so they can advise you on properly cleaning the glass lining without damaging it.
Refill The Tank: Close all the valves and turn the incoming water back on. Allow the tank to refill and then repeat Step 2 above to ensure your system is working properly.
Turn Down The Temperature: A small decrease in the highest temperature will decrease your energy use and prolong the life of your water heater.

If you have any questions or notice any issues while performing this maintenance, contact Valley Heating, Cooling and Electrical for in-depth information on most HVAC topics. Or just give us a call at (408) 868-5500. We've been proudly serving South Bay, Santa Cruz and the peninsula for more than 40 years. Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about water heaters and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide. Valley Heating, Cooling & Electrical services the South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz areas in California. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!