We’ll call this the maintenance “5-minute”, because you’re probably going to invest more than a minute flat in draining your water heater, but the good news is that you don’t have to drain it completely as your manual may suggest to get most of the benefit from draining the tank. Over time, any type of water heater tank will build up sediment- which has three harmful effects on your home’s hot water system. First, the sediment takes up space, effectively making your water heater smaller. Second, the sediment can insulate the bottom of the tank in a gas water heater where much of the flame’s heat is absorbed into the water, or even cover a lower element in an electric water heater causing a reduction in heating efficiency. Third, the sediment scratches the glass lining of water heater tank, resulting in exposed metal – which leads to rust and eventual tank failure.
You can extend the life of the tank and increase the efficiency of the system by simply draining a couple gallons of water off the bottom of the tank. Follow these steps:
- Shut the unit down, either by turning the gas valve to “pilot” or “off”, or flipping off the breaker to an electric unit.
- Turn off the cold water supply line, usually located on the right side as you face the unit.
- Attach a garden hose to the drain valve on the water heater tank, and run it to a drain.
- Turn on a hot water faucet somewhere in your home to allow the water to flow, and then open the drain valve toward the bottom of the tank.
- Check the color of the water that drains- at first it may appear dark, but after just a few gallons it will become clear.
- Now, you can close the drain, and turn off the hot water faucet you had turned on previously. Turn the cold water supply back on, turn the power or gas supply back on, and you’re done!
This is a simple way to extend the life of your water heater and help it run more efficiently.
