Do Water Heaters Need Regular Maintenance?

Advanced Propane helps you keep your showers hot

Water heaters are essential equipment in your home, providing hot water for showers, dishwashing, laundry, house cleaning, and more.

Advanced Propane helps you keep your water heater in tip-top shape with expert water heater maintenance. Need a new water heater? We also provide installation and service of quality propane water heaters from top manufacturers including Lochinvar and Rheem.

We also offer high-efficiency Noritz tankless water heaters. These give you endless hot water, on-demand, while dramatically slashing your water heating energy costs by up to 40%. Considering that water heating accounts for about 20% of your total energy costs, you can see the savings can be significant!

To keep your water heater running properly and at its best efficiency, it is recommended that you get a tune-up at least once every two years.

Other ways to protect you water heater

While regular tune-ups are important, there are other things you can do to ensure optimal efficiency, minimize the risk of breakdowns, and extend the lifespan of your water heater.

Flush the tank: Corrosion stands as a leading factor contributing to water heater tank failure. The presence of sediment at the tank’s bottom exacerbates corrosion, while also hindering the system’s ability to efficiently heat water. As a result, energy costs soar while the water heater’s performance diminishes.

Flushing the tank is easy. Here’s how to do it.

• Attach a hose to the drain valve, which is located near the bottom of the water tank. Put the other end of the hose in a floor drain or outdoors in a spot where the water will easily drain.
• Shut off the water supply to the tank.
• Turn off the power to the water heater or, with a propane water heater, set the thermostat to “pilot.”
• Open the drain valve.
• When the tank is empty, briefly turn on the water supply to stir up the sediment at the bottom of the tank so it will drain out.
• Repeat until the water runs clear, then close the drain valve and turn the water heater back to its normal settings.

Inspect the anode rod: The purpose of the anode rod is to attract and absorb minerals that contribute to corrosion, sparing the tank lining from damage. This vital component, often referred to as the “sacrificial rod,” acts as a safeguard, shielding your tank from the harmful effects of corrosion.

Anode rods typically have a lifespan of approximately five years. Once the anode rod is depleted, your tank becomes susceptible to corrosion and potential failure. Taking a few minutes to inspect your anode rod is crucial. Refer to your water heater owner’s manual for detailed instructions.

Insulate the water tank: Installing an insulating blanket on your water heater tank and wrapping pipes can effectively minimize standing heat loss. By doing so, your water heater will require less frequent and shorter operation to maintain hot water, resulting in reduced wear and energy consumption.

With expert propane water heater installation and service from Advanced Propane, you can enjoy superior comfort and energy efficiency! Contact us today to learn more.