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Tips on Water Heater Maintenance

By Drain Cleaners, Gas Water Heaters, Plumbing, Plumbing and Air Conditioning Dallas TX, Water Heaters

Maintaining your water heater is crucial for ensuring it operates efficiently, lasts as long as possible, and provides your home with consistent, hot water. Neglecting your water heater can lead to inefficiencies, higher energy bills, and premature failure. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you maintain your water heater and keep it in top condition.

Understand Your Water Heater

Firstly, identify the type of water heater you have. The most common types are tankless (on-demand) and storage tank water heaters, powered by electricity, natural gas, propane, or solar energy. Understanding your type will dictate specific maintenance requirements.

Regular Inspections

Visual Inspection: Regularly inspect your water heater for any signs of leaks or corrosion on the tank and in the surrounding area. Check for water pooling, which can indicate a leak.

Pressure Relief Valve Check: The pressure relief valve is a safety feature that prevents your water heater from becoming too pressurized. Test it annually by lifting the valve’s lever and letting it snap back. You should hear a gurgling sound as water is released into the drain tube. If it doesn’t, the valve may need to be replaced.

Flush the Tank

Sediment build-up can reduce your water heater’s efficiency and damage the tank. Annually flushing the tank can help:
– Turn off the power (for electric heaters) or the gas supply (for gas heaters).
– Connect a garden hose to the tank’s drain valve and run it outside or into a bucket.
– Open the drain valve, allowing the water to flow until it’s clear. If the water remains cloudy, briefly turn on the cold water supply to stir up remaining sediment, and drain again.

Check the Anode Rod

The anode rod protects your tank from corrosion. It should be checked every three years, or more frequently if you have hard water:
– Shut off the power or gas and water supply.
– Unscrew the anode rod from the top of the tank.
– If it’s less than ½ inch thick or coated with calcium, replace it.

Adjust the Temperature

Setting the temperature to 120°F can reduce energy consumption and prevent scalding. This setting is adequate for most needs and helps to slow sediment buildup and corrosion.

Insulate the Water Heater

Insulating older tanks can improve efficiency. You can insulate the tank with special blankets made for water heaters. Also, insulating the hot water pipes reduces heat loss as water travels through your home.

Annual Professional Inspection

Even with diligent maintenance, having a professional inspect your water heater annually is wise. They can check for issues you might miss, including checking the burner (for gas heaters), inspecting the heating elements (for electric heaters), and ensuring the system is operating safely and efficiently.

Be Proactive with Replacements

Water heaters typically last between 8 to 12 years. If yours is approaching this age range and experiencing frequent issues, consider replacing it before it fails. Newer models are more energy-efficient and can save you money in the long run.

Regular maintenance of your water heater can significantly extend its lifespan, improve its efficiency, and save you money. By following these steps, you can ensure that your water heater remains in good working condition for years to come. Remember, while many of these tasks are DIY-friendly, don’t hesitate to call Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning if you’re uncomfortable performing any maintenance or if your water heater shows signs of serious problems.

February 7, 2024
tankless water heater

Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters

By Gas Water Heaters, Tankless Water Heaters, Water Heaters

Hi, I’m Brent Garrett president of Sirius Plumbing & Air Conditioning. We’re a full-service residential plumbing and air conditioning company in Dallas/Fort Worth and we’ve been in business since 1995. Some of you may be contemplating replacing your current water heater with a tankless system. I get asked many times if it’s worth it. Here are some tips when considering the switch:

Tankless water heaters offer several benefits compared to traditional tank-style water heaters. Here are some of the advantages of using a tankless water heater:

  1. Energy efficiency: Tankless water heaters heat water only when it is needed, rather than continuously maintaining a large reservoir of hot water like traditional tank-style heaters. This “on-demand” heating approach results in less standby heat loss, making tankless heaters more energy-efficient and potentially reducing utility bills.
  2. Space-saving design: Tankless water heaters are compact and can be mounted on walls, saving valuable floor space in your home.
  3. Endless hot water supply: Tankless water heaters provide a continuous flow of hot water, so you won’t run out during extended periods of use. This makes them ideal for households with multiple occupants or for homes that require hot water for multiple appliances simultaneously.
  4. Longer lifespan: Tankless water heaters generally have a longer lifespan than traditional tank-style heaters. With proper maintenance, a tankless unit can last up to 20 years or more, while traditional heaters typically last around 10-15 years.
  5. Reduced risk of water damage: Traditional water heaters with tanks are susceptible to leaks and ruptures, which can cause significant water damage. Since tankless water heaters don’t store water, the risk of a catastrophic tank failure is eliminated.
  6. Improved water quality: Traditional water heaters can accumulate sediment and mineral deposits over time. Tankless units, however, do not store water, reducing the risk of such buildup and maintaining better water quality.
  7. Eco-friendly: As tankless water heaters are more energy-efficient, they contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and have a smaller overall environmental impact compared to traditional water heaters.
  8. Precise temperature control: Most tankless water heaters allow for precise temperature control, allowing you to set your desired hot water temperature more accurately.

At Sirius, you’ll get a highly trained and qualified technician who’s experienced in helping you with your water heater needs. For more information about our tankless water heater solutions call 972-235-6600. Our promise to you is to be honest, committed, and caring when it comes to you, your family and your home.

To schedule your service today in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, please call 972-235-6600 or fill out the schedule service form and someone will contact you.

August 29, 2023

Get to Know Your Water Heater

By Gas Water Heaters, Plumbing and Air Conditioning Dallas TX, Tankless Water Heaters, Water Heaters

The ins and outs of a workhorse appliance you rely on every day. Dallas TX

A water heater is the kind of appliance that we don’t like to think about… as long as it works.

A tank water heater will last 6-15 years, depending on the quality of the appliance and your water. Take some time to get to know the mechanics of yours and you can prolong that lifespan — and prevent the dreaded “blow out” we’ve all heard horror stories about.

AN INSIDE LOOK AT YOUR WATER HEATER

First, you need to know that there are two kinds of water heaters: tank and tankless. They may be either powered by gas or electricity.

All about the tank hot water heater. This American household staple has been around for a long time. It is the most common type. In essence, this appliance consists of a large holding tank where water is heated and then distributed to the rest of the house.

All about tankless hot water heaters. We actually talk a lot about this baby at Sirius Plumbing and AIr Conditioning because we love them! Read more here.

About gas powered water heaters. There’s not much of a difference between gas and electric in modern hot water heaters. Be aware, however, that if you smell gas around the unit, shut the gas off immediately via the shut off valve on the gas line.

You’d better know: where the main switch valve is. If you learn nothing else from this nitty gritty cross section of a water heater, let it be the exact location of the main valve that supplies water to the appliance. You will not want to be guessing when an emergency arises. To identify the input pipe, put your hand on it. Is it cold? That’s your intake.

You’d better know: where the pressure relief valve is. This guy has one job and it’s to keep the water tank from a blow out when too much pressure builds in the tank. Keep your eye out for any signs of water on the floor, which could be a sign of appliance malfunction.

You’d better know: where the drain valve is. If you need to replace or repair your hot water heater, or you need to drain it to maintain it, the drain valve is where it all happens. Near the bottom of the tank, you can open up a faucet about the size of a garden hose to empty the tank.

You’d better know: how to use the temperature control knob. Relight the pilot light, if need be, on the gas powered water heater. This knob also controls the temperature of the water as supplied to the house. CAUTION: a high setting can create scalding hot water from the taps, please exercise restraint when turning it up. Conserve energy by turning it down.

Now that you know the basic components of your water heater, you can prevent any unnecessary heartache and expense.

#protip Drain the water on a regular basis to flush out any built up contaminants and prevent corrosion. Do this by attaching a regular old garden hose and feed it into a 5gal bucket. CAUTION! The water is hot. (Hold on to that hose and elevate it before you disconnect it or you’ll need a mop!)

#protip Do a regular visual inspection of the unit. Look for signs of corrosion on the top and bottom. Make sure the ventilation pipe is secure.

#protip Your future self will thank you for spending less than $20 on a Water Alarm. This small device will deliver a piercing alarm heard throughout the whole house when it senses water on the floor.

Is your hot water heater leaking? Watch this video to find out what to do next.
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Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning services Dallas/Ft Worth or any one of these mid cities:

Dallas, Plano, Carrollton, Richardson, Garland, Allen, Frisco, McKinney, Lewisville, Flower Mound, Coppell, University Park, Highland Park, Fort Worth, Richland Hills, North Richland Hills, Hurst, Bedford, Euless, Colleyville, Keller, Southlake, Grapevine, Trophy Club, and surrounding DFW communities.

We are committed to helping treating our customers like family. We make sure that we’re there for them when they need plumbing repairs, air conditioning repair, and hot water heater repair. We also help when people have a leaking toilet, clogged drain, or gas line repair. What’s more, we do tankless water heater installation and HVAC replacement. Get to know us better at siriuspac.com/about/.

April 7, 2020
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