When you turn on the faucet in your kitchen or start prepping for that hot morning shower, are you getting the quality hot water that you expect? If you’re not, chances are, there’s an issue with your hot water heater—it’s lacking in efficiency or simply isn’t performing up to par because it can’t keep up with your needs. But, before you jump to conclusions and start pricing out a brand new water heater installation in Grand Junction, CO, make sure that you’re not jumping the gun.
Often, there are still things that can be done to get the most out of your hot water heater before it’s destined for the graveyard—knowing what these tips and tricks are could just save you the cost of a brand new installation and provide you with a few more years of functionality from your existing implementation. Take a look at a few of them:
Replace the TPR valve: Your hot water heater has something called a temperature-pressure-release valve, or “TPR” valve for short. Essentially, this piece of your water heater opens up to release pressure if there’s too much inside of the tank. However, if you have an old TPR valve, it could be malfunctioning to the point where it doesn’t allow enough heat and pressure! Have a professional include your TPR valve in their inspection of your hot water heater and if this is the problem, you might be able to avoid an unnecessary water heater installation in Grand Junction, CO.
Check the anode rod: If your anode rod is overdue for replacement or worse, you don’t remember the last time you had it replaced, you’ll be in for a treat when you do finally replace it. The anode rod in your hot water heater is crucial to its ability to properly heat your water and if it’s old or calcified, it’s not going to do a very good job at all. A new rod with breathe new life into even the oldest hot water heater, giving you better functionality than you might be used to.
Flush the tank: Many times, if your anode rod is bad, it’s going to mean there’s quite a bit of sediment that’s also built up in your hot water heater. Sediment levels that are too high can create water heating issues that slow the rate at which the water is heated or cause pressure issues that affect the TPR valve in a way that hinders water temperature altogether! Have your tank professionally flushed and watch as your water gets hotter, faster!
Turn the heat up: You might not know this, but you can actually adjust the maximum heat settings on your hot water heater! Generally, it should be set at 120-degrees as a standard, but if you’re trying to get the very last out of your water heater before having to replace it, you can crank that up to 140-degrees. Keep in mind that this is not the recommended course of action and could lead to burns if not handled appropriately. Raising your temperature 10 degrees will also yield a five percent energy increase on your bills, roughly.
Before you give up all hope on your hot water heater, give one or more of these tips a try! Who knows, you could save yourself the cost of a water heater installation in Grand Junction, CO!