If you have a traditional electric or gas water heater, it is advisable to flush its tank at least once every year. That’s because sediment, when not flushed out, can build up and hamper your unit’s efficiency, resulting in higher energy bills and frequent repairs. Spring is a perfect time to flush your water heater because it is a transitional season that gives you adequate time to monitor the performance of your unit before summer. Here are five reasons a water heater is a good idea.
1. Fewer Repair Needs
Not flushing your water heater at least once a year can cause sediment buildup. The buildup will start to decrease the efficiency of your unit, resulting in it having to run for extended periods every time it heats water. In return, this can cause your heater to break down and need repair more frequently.
Sediment buildup in gas water heaters can make hot spots form at the bottom of the tank every time the unit heats. Over time, this weakens the tank, making it corrode quicker and start to leak. As for electric water heaters that are rarely flushed, sediment buildup can make the lower heating element fail, leading to the necessity of replacement.
2. Extended Life Span
The average lifespan of gas water heaters ranges from eight to 12 years, while that of electric models is 10 to 15 years. Heaters will only last this long when flushed regularly and professionally maintained. Neglecting these crucial tasks can lead to your unit lasting far less time.
3. Improved Water Quality and Shorter Recovery Time
Sediment and mineral deposits can cause rusty or discolored water; flushing your heater removes them, improving the quality of your hot water supply. It also shortens the unit’s recovery time by improving its efficiency.
Recovery time ranges from 30 minutes to two hours, and it refers to how long a heater takes to fully reheat after you have used all the hot water in its tank. Sediment buildup can make your unit’s recovery time double or even triple.
4. Lower Energy Bills
Sediment buildup acts as insulation and captures much of the heat, making it hard to transfer it to the water. For this reason, your unit will need to work much harder to heat water, resulting in increased energy consumption.
5. Quieter Operation
Sediment buildup can make a unit produce loud banging or knocking noises every time it is heating water. Whenever a heater is running, it produces several tiny air bubbles that move to the top of the tank.
If there is sediment inside the tank, the air bubbles will float through it, disturbing it and causing pieces of it to hit the walls of the tank. Regular flushing of your heater reduces the sediment in the tank, leading to quieter operation.
Flushing your heater in the spring guarantees a clean unit that will perform efficiently during the warmer and colder months. If you are a resident of Rochester, NY seeking quality water heater services, call us at Nichols Electric and Plumbing today.
