Hot Water Heater - How To Save the Cost

The regular hot water heater lasts for eight to twelve years. Nowadays, most of the tanks are steel lined with porcelain or glass. It deteriorates and oxidizes over time. Although in some homes, hot water heater's life span is about fifteen to twenty years, it is important to remember that although water heater remains working, it is much less efficient since residues will build up inside the heater tank.

There are some easy methods to increase the active life span of the hot water heater:

*    Second anode pole - installing of these rod can increase immensely the water heater's life. Sacrificial pole made of aluminum or magnesium goes through overtime-galvanic corrosion. This rod sacrifices itself to prevent the corrosion of the heater tank.

*    Flushing or cleaning the tank - flushing of the older tank can help rid of the residues or sediment build up thus maintaining longer and higher efficiency of the tank. Nowadays, there are numerous models of hot water heater tanks having self-cleaning ability.

*    Expansion Tank - installing another tank or expansion tank can prolong the functional life of the tank. This is done if you are in closed system. The heater expands when it's heated between 50 and 120 degree Celsius through 2% approximately. Therefore, fifty gallons produces additional one-gallon volume.

*    Water softeners - Several areas southwestern united stated and south California have water that contains high mineral also known as the hard water. This hard water affects the water tank and even appliances that causes scaling due to the mineral precipitations. Therefore, it will reduce drastically the life span of the water heater. Through water softener, it can help decrease the tearing and wearing of the plumbing water system because of hard water.

*    Installation of regulating pressure valve - the water with high pressure beyond 90 PSI can cause the unit to fail ahead of time and it can damage your appliances. Water system pressure will reduce if you install the regulating pressure valve. It can also reduce the tearing and wearing of all your appliances. Be reminded that it is better to install extension tank if you have PRV.

Except increasing the hot water heater's life span, another simple way to save operating costs and energy is insulating your water heater. Experiments verified that it can lower heating water bill from 4% to 9% and can reduce 25% up to 50% loss of stand by heat just through putting the blanket made of extraordinary insulation. You can also insulate the water pipes - insulated pipes of hot water raises the efficient temperature of hot water at the faucet or at the showerhead by 2 to 4 degrees Fahrenheit beyond the similar setting of the water heater if not all pipes are insulated.