Cleaning Your Water Tanks

For houses these days, water heating is the second largest energy consumer after space heating. See to it that your water heater is operating efficiently. There any many things that can be done to improve the performance of storage tank water heaters which include standard electric tank units naturally vented, power vented and direct vented natural gas, propane, oil fired units, heat pump units and solar water heater units.

The temperature of the water heater has to be minimized. The storage tank will lose heat to its surroundings whenever water is not heater. The reason for the reduction of the temperature is so that there is a reduction in the amount of heat lost from the tank between uses will occur.

Keeping in mind the temperature in the storage tank should not be lower than 50 to 55 degrees Celsius for gas fired units and 55 to 60 Celsius for electrically powered units to do away with bacterial growth. The next step is to add tank insulation.

It is important to install additional insulation to the tank to reduce the heat loss. Keep in mind that it is not good to add insulation to a water heater that is fuelled by oil.

Keep in mind you have to replace the anode rod. At the same time storage tanks require a device called an anode rod to prevent it from corroding. At the same time some water heater tanks include cold water supply tubes that act as anode rods.

Clean the inside of the tank. Actually sediment from the intentional breakdown of the anode rod and from minerals in the water supply collects at the bottom of water heater tanks. In this case, the sediment reduces the efficiency of the water heater and may cause the water heater to wear out prematurely.

It also has the potential to promote the unhealthy growth of bacteria. It is always advised that other types of water heaters are cleaned out every six to 12 months.

As a precaution have the water heater inspected as well. The reason for getting an inspection is to identify the condition of the burners and heat transfer surfaces in fuel fired water heaters. Having dirty burners and heat transfer surfaces will reduce the performance of the water heater.

Check the temperature and pressure relief valve. With the temperature and pressure relief valve on tank type water heaters, it is a safety feature designed to prevent catastrophic failures of the water heater. Whenever either the temperature or pressure in the tank exceeds certain limits, the valve will open.

These valves are not used often hence it is common for them to stick closed, increasing the severity of problems that could arise if the water heater should fail. It is always best to install the water heater on a piece of plywood over rigid insulation to reduce heat loss.