Even though you may only think of it when you want to take a hot shower in the morning, your hot water heater is one of the most important appliances in your home. It has probably been several years since the last time you replaced it and there are a few things you should do to improve the way it operates and extend its life. First, you need to check your hot water heater periodically. You may want to consider doing this only every couple of months since the process requires quite a bit of time. Turn off the power to the unit and the cold water supply. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and drain the appliance so that it is half full. You can drain the unit easily by placing a container under the pressure valve and allowing the excess water to flow out. Once draining is complete, you can check the valve to see if it leaks. Turn the valve off and look for any signs of dripping. If you find evidence of a leak, the valve will need to be replaced. If the valve checks out, then you can proceed to cleaning out the appliance. During the course of normal operations, your hot water heater will start to accumulate sediment and gravel on the inside. This is perfectly normal! However, when too much sediment builds up on the inside, it can drastically reduce the life of your appliance. It can also affect the quality of your water supply. You can clean out the unit by draining the remaining water with a hose. Once it is empty, turn on the cold water valve so that you can loosen up the sediment on the bottom of the unit and allow it to drain again through the hose. The unit is clean when the hose runs clear. Periodically, you will need to adjust the temperature on your appliance. This is to ensure that it is not set to operate at the appropriate level of power. You can save money on some of your energy bills by making sure that the temperature is just right. To start, set it to 120 degrees. You can adjust it lower or higher if you want, but keep in mind that for every five to ten degrees lower it is set, the lower your energy bills will be. Anytime you anticipate being away from your home for more than a few days, don't forget to turn the thermostat all the way down. You may also want to consider insulating the pipes on your hot water heater to protect them from condensation. This will help to prevent rust and increase the life of your appliance. These simple steps can save you money on your bills and save you from having to replace the unit prematurely. Due to service your hot water heater in Northfield, Ohio? Click here. http://www.weatherking1.com.
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