Top 10 Tips For Water Heater Maintenance And Installation

A water heater or a geyser, as it is more commonly known in India, needs as much care (if not more) as any other electronic device. Though manufacturers provide ...

A water heater or a geyser, as it is more commonly known in India, needs as much care (if not more) as any other electronic device. Though manufacturers provide the best parts that can deal with the constant heating and cooling, you have to remember that even the best parts will wear down if put under continuous pressure. In this post, we will look at some tips for water heater maintenance and installation to prolong its life despite the regular expansion and contraction from heating and cooling.

# Points to keep in mind while installing a water heater or geyser

1. Space around the geyser:

Also, it should be easily accessible if you want to repair it or get it serviced. Though some people put the geyser right on top of the toilet to supposedly get better access, this actually hinders the technician from reaching the apparatus easily. It is much better to put it on a portion of the wall that has nothing below the geyser and is away from damp areas like the shower, bathtub or toilet. This way, you or anyone can easily access it with a small stool.

2. Put the water heater at a sufficient height:

Experts suggest that you should install the geyser at a height of at least 1.8 metres or 6 feet from the floor. This ensures that the water pressure is sufficient and you get a strong hot water flow in your tap rather than a trickle.

3. Electrical connections and switches:

Ensure that the geyser is connected to a Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB) that cuts off electricity in case of power fluctuations. This will minimise chances of any short circuit in the water heater. Also, keep the switch at a sufficient height away from small children but not too high that you or any adult has problems while trying to reach it.

Now that we know what precautions to take when installing a water heater, let’s look at some maintenance tips that can help keep the appliance.

# Regular maintenance tips for your water heater

4. Do not keep the geyser switched on for extended periods

People usually prefer to keep the geyser switched on for extended periods, especially

5. Save more electricity by lowering the temperature

Water heater maintenance is important as you will save electricity as well! If you use a lower temperature setting as the water will reach that temperature faster. The reduced temperature means the geyser will have to work less and this will increase its life. Moreover, having warm water rather than very hot water in the tap will reduce chances of any accidental burns. Lowering the thermostat is especially important for families with small children.Hot water heater maintenance is hence very crucial to ensure you never run out of hot water during winters.

6. Check the anode rod inside the tank before winter

Larger geysers have an anti-corrosion anode rod inside the tank. This rod attracts rust and other impurities present in the water, thereby preventing the tank from getting rusted or corroded. However, because of this, it itself corrodes away every few years.

Experts suggest that you check the anode rod every 3 years to see if the outer layer of magnesium has corroded away and 6 inches or more of the inner steel core is visible. If that is the case, then the rod needs to be replaced. The rod also has to be replaced if it is coated with whitish calcium sediments (happens when the water is hard) or its thickness has reduced considerably to below half an inch.

7. Check the pressure release valve

Check at least once a year if the temperature and pressure release valves are working. You can check this by releasing the pressure a couple of times. It is a major issue if the relief valve at the water heater is leaking. You just need to drain some water out of your water geyser and remove the discharge tube. Thereafter replace the valve and it’s done!

8. Keep an eye on the plug

Power fluctuations and using low capacity wiring for the power socket means your switch will make a spark every now and then. You will also notice burn marks on your plug’s pins as the higher electricity wattage will heat up the plug and the pins and leave burn traces.

To prevent any future electrical short circuit from this, it is always better to use plugs and sockets that are new and have been properly wired and plugged in. Also, try to use an MCB switch instead of a regular one as MCBs are better constructed than standard plugs and will prevent any short-circuit from happening. The third thing you can do is to switch on the geyser only when you need it and switch it off immediately after you are done.

9. Replace the plastic inlet and outlet pipes with metal ones

It is always better to use metal inlet and outlet pipes since they are more resistant to heat than the standard plastic ones you get with a geyser. Also, remember to check the joints regularly. In case you see whitish deposits from hard water or rust around the joints, then it is time to replace the inlet or outlet pipe.

10. Get an annual maintenance done