Draining Your Water Heater – General HVAC
Draining a water heater is something that homeowners find themselves having to do on occasion. It is recommended you drain your water heater once a year to clear out any debris and keep it safely in tune with your needs.
Steps To Efficiency
- Turn off the water heater for your safety if you choose to commit to water heater maintenance yourself.
- The water heater also has a cold water valve. It should be turned off to shut off the water flow to the unit.
- The next step is taxing for some people. However, using a water hose, you need to drain the water heater from the valve that typically at the base.
- Ensure the hose’s nozzle is secured tightly and open the water valve.
- Most water heaters have a pressure valve on top of the unit. It needs pulling as to start the draining process.
- The water will start draining. Turn the cold water valve back on for a few moments to ensure all the water and sediment is adequately removed.
- When empty, undo the water hose and turn all valves back open so the water heater will fill back up.
- If your water heater has a pilot light, it needs relighting if it uses gas. Simply flick the breaker back on if it is an entirely electric water heater.
Draining Debris
Best practice is to drain your water heater once a month. Sediment and scale build-up causes damage that you will not see in advance. However, there are other benefits to water heater maintenance.
- Maintaining your water heater keeps it purring quietly and reduces noise pollution.
- The entire family decides they need a shower urgently; you may find you lose hot water quickly. Buildup inside of your water heater is likely to blame. A clean water heater will keep your showers hot.
- The same sediment also affects the efficiency of your water heater. The less often it is maintained, the more it will cost you in the long run.
- Water heater repair may be required if you do not drain your water heater regularly. The lack of drainage damages the unit.
Worst case scenario is requiring a water heater installation if yours fails you entirely. We at General Heating & Air Conditioning Arcadia, CA pride ourselves in our A+ rating with the BBB and look forward to assisting you with your water heater maintenance, replacement, and repair.