Find out what you can do to maintain your gas water heaters to help save energy (and money!) at the same time.
When you have plenty of hot water for a quick morning shower and clean plates from the dishwasher in the evening, you aren’t thinking about gas water heaters. But when the water heater breaks down, and you wish you could have seen it coming.
What to do? Let’s find out how to keep your gas water heater from breaking down, so you can save on energy and money.
You don’t want to buy and inexpensive water heater only to end up spending on huge gas bills and repair fees later on. Instead, invest a little more by purchasing a water heater insulation kit. You can save on your heating bill every month by cutting heat loss from your gas water heater by 45 per cent. Also, you or your plumber should flush out the water heater annually to get rid of sediment at the bottom that drags down energy efficiency, costing you money.
If your dishwasher heats water and your washing machine works well, dial down the temperature on your water heater for even more savings.
Keeping the insides of your water heater rust-free earns you more useful years. All you need is an anode rod. That aluminum or magnesium rod can be found at any home improvement store. It screws into the top of the tank and hangs inside the water heater. The reactive anode metal attracts the rust-making ions so they won't deposit on the steel walls of your gas water heater.
Note the warranty on your gas water heater. A six-year warranty should mean the anode that came with the heater will last six years. But continue to keep an eye on it. If the anode begins to rust, get a new one before your tanks totally rusts.
If you take care of your water heater, expect the hot water to keep flowing for eight years or more. But like any appliance, things can go wrong with gas water heaters, too. Your gas water heater has a problem if you notice any of these signs:
Be safe. Turn the gas control to pilot, shut off the water supply to the heater, and let your plumber do the repairs.
