How to Keep Your Water Heater in Top Shape

Your water heater is one of the top energy-consuming appliances in your house. Most people don't think about theirs until something goes wrong. Here are some things to think about before that happens.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Water Heaters

1. Set the thermostat at 120 degrees F if you don't have a dishwasher. If you do, consult the owner's manual for your dishwasher and set the thermostat at the temperature recommended by the manufacturer.

2. Prevent buildup of sediment in your water heater by draining the tank every four months or so. Do this more often if you have hard water.

3. Check to see if your water heater is losing heat. If it feels hot to the touch, consider wrapping it with a Fiberglas insulating blanket. (If it just feels warm, that's normal.)

4. Check the plate on the water heater that tells you how many gallons per hour it heats. If it seems to be slow (if you're not getting more hot water within 15 minutes of running out), start troubleshooting now (see "How to Troubleshoot Your Water Heater"), before things get worse.

5. Turn off the water heater if you're going to be away for more than a few days.

Tips & Warnings

• The thermostat is at the bottom of the front of the water heater. Sometimes it will be concealed behind a small metal door.
• If you wrap your water heater, be sure not to cover the top. You need air circulation there.
• If it's a gas unit, don't block airflow to the burner in the bottom because the pilot flame won't get enough oxygen and will go out.

on 11/22/2005 Open and close the pressure relief valve a couple of times periodically to prevent the valve from becoming stuck closed.