Maintenance Best Practices for Electric Water Heaters

Electric water heaters require routine maintenance in order for you to get the longest life out of your appliance. You can easily do a few simple tasks suggested by professionals to keep your water heater in top working order. In general, the main components of electric water heaters should be tested for proper performance once a year.

The first thing to test on electric water heaters is the pressure relief valve. Depending on the part of the country, this valve can be clogged with buildup. Faulty pressure relief valves on electric water heaters will not release excess pressure. This can cause damage to your water heater or even your home. Inspect the area around the pressure relief valve for water leakage signs. If there is no leakage, proceed with the test. Pull up the lever on the pressure relief valve. Working valves on electric water heaters should be lifted without difficulty. If the lever on the valve is difficult to lift, it more than likely needs to be replaced.

The next thing to remember when maintaining water heaters is to keep the temperature controls around 120 degrees Fahrenheit. If you leave the home for an extended period of time, you can switch the temperature gauge to, ?vacation mode." Many models have this feature which limits the amount of energy the water heater uses while you are away. This setting will keep the water warm enough to ward off growth of bacteria, but will also save you in energy costs while your appliance isn't being used.

Electric water heaters have a piece called an ?anode" that should be checked once or twice a year. This metal rod attracts and collects electricity in the water. This adds longevity to the other metals that your water heater is constructed of. Depending on the quality of water in electric water heaters directly correlates with the lifespan of the anode. The lower the quality of water, the lower the life is of the anode. These parts are fairly inexpensive and will drastically increase the lifespan of your water heater if they are regularly replaced.

The heating elements in electric water heaters should be cleaned annually. Over time deposits will stick to these elements and reduce their ability to heat water efficiently. Deposits can also lead to elements not working and overheating. All electric water heaters come with an instruction manual, and this booklet should be consulted when performing routine maintenance checks.

When water heaters cease working, the first thing that should be checked is the circuit breaker in the circuit breaker panel. If the circuits are in working order, you may need to press the reset button. Electric water heaters have a reset button located at the bottom of the tank located under the access cover. One other thing to make sure of is that you turn off electricity to the unit before draining the tank. Failure to do this can result in permanent damage to the heating elements inside the tank. As always, consult a professional if you ever have questions maintaining your water heater.

Electric Water Heaters