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Contrary to popular belief, your water heater is not maintenance-free. In fact, with just a bit of extra attention and some elbow grease, you can substantially reduce your energy bills. Warming the H2O in your abode ordinarily accounts for about twenty percent of home energy costs, which is second only to general heating. But before we introduce a few money-saving tips, we are going to take a brief look at how water heaters work. General Operation When you turn on the hot water, warmed H2O is taken into your abode from the top of your home unit. After you have used this hot water, it needs to be replaced, so fresh, cold H2O is drawn into the bottom of the tank, which turns on the heating system. Gas and electric units function in similar ways; the only difference is that gas models have a pilot that ignites when liquid needs to be warmed. Electric models, on the other hand, have an upper and lower burner. Both models have a pressure release valve at the top of the unit. General Maintenance The most common problem owners experience with water heaters is thermostat control. This means that the device is making the liquid much hotter than is needed. Most units are set at 140 degrees Fahrenheit, which is much hotter than anyone needs. All you have to do is turn the temperature on the thermostat down to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, and you will reduce your bills by up to ten percent. If you have an electric model, remember that they have both an upper and lower thermostat, so you will need to adjust both. Another helpful tip when it comes to cutting costs is to consider turning off your unit when you are going out of town for more than just a day or two. Once you return, it will only take about an hour to reheat. Of course, with gas models, you will need to know how to relight the pilot, so make sure you read the owner's manual before you turn off the pilot. However, one of the most important things you can do when it comes to general maintenance is to flush the tank now and then. The reason this is important is because mineral deposits from the liquid will build up inside of your tank. These byproducts not only reduce the ability of your unit to do its job, but also put undue stress on the device and may result in cooler H2O. You can avoid this by simply flushing your tank once or twice a year. For standard water heaters, the drain valve is located at the bottom of the unit. Simply open the valve and let the H2O drain into a bucket until you notice that it is clear. By following these simple maintenance tips, you will not only save yourself quite a bit of money, but you will also ensure that your unit runs more efficiently and lasts longer. When seeking water heaters, Raleigh, NC residents can learn more by visiting http://www.ncwaterheaters.com/Services/Water-Heaters.
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