If you’re a homeowner, you know that storage-tank water heaters can break down. Since no one wants to take a cold shower or pay higher bills than necessary, it’s important for you to learn how to improve water heater performance. Here are five easy steps to accomplish that:
Make sure that if you have your water heater in the basement you seal the basement off from cold weather as much as possible. If necessary, re-caulk all of your basement windows. Once you have determined that your windows are sealed tightly, check to see whether your water heater pipes are vulnerable to the cold environment of most basements. If they are exposed to the cold air, insulate them to make the heated water remain hot on its way to rooms in your home.
Check to make sure your water heater’s dip tube is intact. This can be a problem in older heaters. It’s important to have a working dip tube because it carries the cold water to the bottom of the tank. A broken tube will allow the cold water to dilute the hot water that’s higher in the tank. Improve water heater performance by having the dip tube inspected and replaced if necessary.
Often the main problem is standby heat loss. Feel the side of your water heater tank. If it feels warm, this means that your water heater is wasting energy. Buy an insulating blanket or jacket at the home improvement store for your water heater, and either install it yourself or hire a trained professional to perform the task. Often, this is the preferred route when insulating a gas water heater. Once the tank is insulated, your water heater won’t have to reheat the water as often, and you’ll save money on your water-heating bills.
If you have tried all these solutions and you are still having problems it is time to contact a professional heating & air conditioning company. If you live in the Lorain area and need help with your water heater, please contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning. We have been performing these services for 35 years, and our employees have a combined 50 years of experience in HVAC troubleshooting and repair.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about Improving Water Heater Performance and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area