Things to Consider When Buying a Water Heater
There are a lot of things to consider when purchasing a water heater. One of the most important is rated capacity based on your household’s peak hour hot water usage.
Most homes use traditional tank-type units that are powered by electricity, gas, propane or heating oil. These units come with an insulated tank that can hold between 20 and 80 gallons of hot water.
Thermostat
The thermostat is the device that keeps track of your water heater’s temperature and sends signals to the control mechanism. It also controls the activation and deactivation of the heating elements. When the thermostat detects that the temperature is low, it activates the heating elements to warm the water. Once the desired temperature is reached, the thermostat tells the heating elements to turn off.
A traditional thermostat has two pieces of different metal bolted together to form a bimetallic strip that works as a bridge in an electrical circuit. The strip bends slightly when hot and carries electricity through the circuit. When the temperature cools, one of the metals contracts more than the other and the strip breaks open the circuit, shutting off the heating.
Before you touch the thermostat, turn off power to the heater by switching off the circuit breaker. You should also disconnect the power from your hot-water pipe by turning off the valve that’s attached to it. This will prevent water from flowing back into the tank and causing the thermostat to reset. You should also remove the screws that hold the access panel and take it off. You should be able to see the two thermostats in the bottom of the panel, but it’s best to use a multimeter to determine whether or not they still have power.
Tank
Over time, minerals from hard water accumulate inside the tank. They create a layer of sediment that insulates the water from the heater, forcing the unit to run longer to heat it. If a tank isn’t flushed on a regular basis, a sediment problem can cause the water to boil. This causes a popping sound as the sediment breaks up and water escapes. This forces the unit to work even harder to keep the water hot, driving up utility bills and leaving you without a sufficient supply of hot water for showering, washing laundry, dishes, etc.
Over the years, rust can wear down metal parts, causing a build-up of pressure within the tank. If a temperature and pressure relief valve is faulty, this can electric boiler lead to an explosion or the release of dangerous gas into your home. This is a critical safety feature that should be tested and replaced on a regular basis.
A leaking tank can cause extensive damage to your home. If you suspect a leak, shut off your water heater at the building shut-off valve and electric tankless heater contact a plumber immediately. A plumber can test for a leak and replace the tank, preventing a costly and dangerous disaster. A professional can also use suction techniques similar to those used in paintless automotive dent repair to smooth the appearance of a dented tank.
Drain Valve
The water heater is an essential home appliance that can provide years of reliable service if it receives regular maintenance and upkeep. Most homeowners are aware that the water heater tank needs to be drained and flushed on a periodic basis to remove contaminants like mineral scale or sediment that accumulates inside the tank over time.
However, some may be unsure as to how or when to drain their water heaters. In this blog post, we will discuss the role of a water heater’s drain valve and why it is important to maintain it properly.
A water heater’s drain valve is a small, threaded valve that allows you to access the tank for cleaning and maintenance tasks such as flushing and replacing the heating elements. Typically, the drain valve is located near the bottom of the tank and has a two-way junction with one side going directly to a standard outdoor hose faucet and the other connecting back above the water heater through the basement wall and ultimately rejoining one branch of the hot water outlet pipe.
To access the drain valve, first turn off your water heater’s power by switching off the breaker on your electrical panel. Next, position a bucket underneath the drainage valve to catch the drained sediment and water. Once the water has drained, close the valve by turning counterclockwise. It is also recommended to wear safe clothes and gloves during this process to reduce a scalding risk.
Shut-Off Valve
The shut-off valve is the key to turning off your water heater in the event of a leak. It’s a round lever or wheel with a handle on the pipe that leads to your water heater. It’s typically turned clockwise to turn off and counter-clockwise to turn it back on. If you’re planning to work on your water heater or there’s a leak, knowing how to operate this valve will help ensure that your home’s supply is cut off quickly and minimize the damage to your property.
This valve is typically located on the front yard side of your house and is usually close to the water meter connection. It is designed to shut off the entire water supply to your home. You can also have individual isolation valves for your sinks, toilets, appliances, and other fixtures in your home. These valves are typically a bit smaller than your main water valve and can be operated by hand.
While these valves can vary in look, they all serve the same purpose — to shut off your water supply. This is important because the pressure and temperature inside your tank can increase until it reaches unsafe levels. If this happens and the pressure-relief valve fails to open, it can lead to a violent explosion. This can burn out your electric or gas water heating elements, which will require an expensive repair.