How Long Does a Water Heater Last

Self-Cleaning Water Heater | Pros and Cons of Self Cleaning Water Heater

How Long Does A Self-Cleaning Water Heater Last

 

Your water heater is an important part of the comfort of your home. Out of sight, we tend to think of its existence only when it’s lacking. Attention, the self-cleaning water heater can serve you doubly a cold shower, in the strict sense and figuratively, by the bill of its replacement not planned.  Reading through this piece will help you know how to make it last for you.

Several inexpensive and easy-to-install ways can increase the life of your heater. It allow you to plan for your water heater replacement at the end of its life. Here are some tips, which will make your gas system, last. This will help you not be caught off guard and then increase the life of your self-cleaning water heater.

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Temperature Of Your Self-Cleaning Water Heater 

Periodically check the temperature of your hot water; this is one of the factors that make your heater last. If the temperature of your water is too hot, you pay for extra energy and abbreviate the life of your water heater. Also, too hot water can cause serious burns to those with sensitive skin, such as children or the elderly. Too hot water can cause third degree burns in just a few seconds.

The recommended temperature for fitting the self-cleaning water heater elements is 140 ° F or 60 ° C to limit the growth of bacteria. But the water coming out of your faucet should not exceed 120 ° F or 50 ° C. With a good quality thermometer, you can ensure that your hot water is at the right temperature. To do this test properly, take care to do it when you have not used hot water for a few hours, this type of test also makes your system last a long time.

Too cold and constant water can cause other problems; thereby make your heater not to last. You can run out of hot faster during major uses. Your dishwasher or clothes washer may be less effective.

Save A Little More Energy

If your comfort does not suffer, you can slightly lower the temperature of the thermostats that control the temperature of the elements in your water heater. They are behind the hoods at the front and the height of each element. Lowering your water heater elements by a few degrees will save you on your energy bill and lengthen the useful life of your system also making it last for you out there.

The Sacrificial Anode Extends The Life Of Your Self-Cleaning Water Heater

The sacrificial anode is a device that also makes your system last or simply specifically designed to prolong the life of your heater against rust and punctures. This anode contains magnesium, which attracts corrosive elements to it that can attack the walls of your water heater and puncture them. This anode does not have an indefinite useful life since it corrodes while doing its job.

Your self-cleaning water heater anode must be changed every six years and even every three years if you live in a municipality that uses chlorine or softeners in the water it provides. This inexpensive maintenance can significantly extend the life of your heater and make it last out there.

The Water Drain

Empty water from your self-cleaning water heater annually to reduce sediment build-up and reduce an environment that is conducive to the growth of bacteria, especially for electric water heaters. This cleaning can help extend the life of your water heater.

Do not forget to turn off the heater power supply before proceeding to avoid running your items empty and burning them.

Heated Environment

Make sure your self-cleaning water heater is installed in a sufficiently heated environment. You save on your energy bill and help extend the system’s life. You can also cover the heater with an insulating blanket to make it last.

Safety valve and overflow

The safety valve is a mandatory element that acts in case of overpressure inside the self-cleaning water heater, and that conveys the surplus in the sewer. Operate this safety valve once a year to prevent scale buildup in its mechanism to ensure proper operation. If the valve does not close completely, you have a sign of failure.

A foreign body has infiltrated your heater mechanism. Turn off the cold water supply to your self-cleaning water heater, turn off the power supply and contact your plumber. With this type of failure, your security system can flow into your drain without you realizing it, increasing your energy bill.

The maintenance methods to make your water heater last listed here may vary from one heater to another; check the instruction manual for better understanding.

Equipped With A Dip Tube

If you purchase an electric heater or perhaps a gas water heater, it will actually come with a dip pipe. The water heater dip tube or maybe pipe runs straight through the center of your tank. When the cold water flows into the tank, it will lower the dip tube to distribute it appropriately. Without a dip pipe or maybe tube, your water would just sit on the very top of the tank as well as not get completely hot.

The water flows regularly to the water heater so that with time sediments can accumulate in the bottom of the tank. While self-cleaning water heaters are actually built with the popular anode rod which gathers minerals. It is a great design to remove other sediments by draining them; all these are put in place to make it last for you.

Most heaters have a drain valve at the bottom of the tank that can be opened doing this help makes it last. This valve drains the sediment from the tank (this should be done occasionally to keep the tank clean, last and functioning well).

In a self-cleaning instantaneous water heater, you will find a curved immersed tube instead of a straight dip tube. This dip tube is equipped with an accessory that turns the water instead of just putting it on the ground. The movement of the water keeps the sediment moving and requires less drainage; this as well contributes to what makes your heater last.

The self-cleaning water heaters last 8 to 12 years, depending on the brand and characteristics! Regardless of the types, experts advise you drain two to five gallons of water for up to three years to make water heaters last for you.

Conclusion

The newer tanks are usually self-cleaning water heater; these types cost more but can last for many years (8-10 years), it’s best to have your plumber do an annual inspection of your plumbing system, including your water heater. Ask him at the same time the information you may need to adjust yourself with the operation of your heater as to make it last for you.

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