Electric Water Heater Maintenance
The problems of an electric water heater can be minimized by adopting specific care instructions. Tips for electric water heater maintenance are followed to ensure that the device functions normally and lasts for maximum years.
Electric Water Heater Maintenance
Imagine you wake up one fine morning and realize that there is no hot water for shower. Well, that sounds frustrating, but it can happen to anyone, if the water heater is not maintained properly. So, to avoid such a situation, act timely and follow the manufacturer's directions for maintaining your heater well. However, make sure that you understand the parts, their main functions and things you need to do. For this, refer to the user manual provided along with the electric water heater.
Before you try your hands on cleaning and maintaining an electric heater, follow the safety guidelines. Do not forget to switch off the power at the breaker box. Also, you will need to close the cold water supply line. Any type of electric setting is dangerous and your safety is the first concern. Hence, if you are not sure about handling this electric device, then take the help of a professional serviceman. The following is a brief guide about electric water heater maintenance instructions.
Checking the Storage Tank
Most homeowners install the tank and forget about it, unless there is a leakage, corrosion or alike electric water heater problems. Check the manufacture date, and if it is older than 6 years, then it is high time to inspect the tank. After ensuring that power is put off, examine the fittings one by one. You can take off the covers of the two element ports (one for cold water and second is for hot water) and check them. Finally, ensure that there is no leakage or corrosion in the tank. Place the covers back and see that everything is fitted like before.
Draining the Storage Tank
Another electric water heater maintenance step is draining the storage tank, preferably once in a year. It allows removal of the sediments that get deposited at the bottom of the tank. Retaining the same for a longer period may clog the water pipes and impart an obnoxious smell to hot water, which you don't want at any cost. Check the drain valve and if it is worn out, replace it before you proceed further for draining hot water. Otherwise, water will drip even after you are done with flushing off the sediments.
Hoping that you have turned off the power and cold water supply, locate the drain valve and attach a hose pipe to it. Position the other end of the hose in the driveway or other areas, which will not be affected by hot water. As direct draining often causes vacuum formation in the pipes, you may like to open a hot water tap. Once these preparations are over, open the drain valve and keep it like that, until all the hot water is drained. After this, turn on the cold water supply to remove adhering sediments.
Continue draining until water comes out clear from the hose pipe. Then shut the feed line and drain valve. As your draining task is over, there is no point in keeping the hose. So, remove it and close the hot water tap that you have started to avoid vacuum formation. Turn off the feed line valve and make sure that your water storage tank is full, before you switch on the power. Keeping the heater full is also a part of the hot water heater maintenance guide. Failure to do so may cause the heating elements to blow off unexpectedly.
Testing Pressure Release Valve
We all know about the increase in water volume, when it is heated. This is checked by the pressure release valve in an electric water heater. Maintaining this device also encompasses testing the pressure reducing valve. It is attached to an extension pipe, which serves the purpose of draining some liquid and releasing pressure (whenever needed). You are expected to replace the temperature pressure relief valve (TPRV) with a new one after every two years, or as per the directions of the manufacturer. Learn more on electric water heater reviews.
As you see, the maintenance and care levels for an electric water heater are less stringent as compared to that of a gas setting. It has a simpler configuration and works without combustion. If your heater model is of a trusted brand, it may last up to 18 - 20 years. Even a low quality unit has a longevity of about 10 years, and a moderate quality heater works for 14 years. So, follow proper electric water heater maintenance and extend its durability as much as possible.
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