Tag Archives: Water Softener

Water Heater Maintenance for Efficiency and Savings

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Proper maintenance of your water heater can optimize its energy efficiency and make it work perfectly for a decade or two. The three major aspects of water heater maintenance are initial thermostat setting, regular maintenance and knowing the softness of incoming water. Read on to know more about water heater repair and maintenance:

1. Initial thermostat setting

The daily rituals of bathing, washing dishes, washing clothes do not need superheated water.  Adjusting the thermostats properly can save you money.

maintenance of water heater

Most water heater manufacturers suggest thermostat setting on your water heater to 125 degrees Fahrenheit (51 C). This temperature by itself is enough to cause injury to your skin. Besides, when you run your bath water, you will bend in the amount of cold to make the output “just right”. So why would you raise the temperature if you are cooling it off?

Your water heater is one of if not the highest consumer of electricity in your home.  Best to set to the manufactures recommend level.

It’s the same theory for both gas-fueled and tankless. Why raise something if you are going to cool it off….

Conclusion:  take the time to verify that your unit’s thermostat is not overworking. Go for the 125 degrees F.  Save the money

I met one plumber that said he did not run hot water to his dishwasher.  He said the machine heated the water itself.

2. Regular Maintenance

Your manufacturer manual most likely suggests periodic inspection and/or maintenance. You can do this, or you can have a water heater plumbing contractor perform this. Every six months for mine. It’s not that big of a deal to do it.

Stop right here:  Turn off the electrical breaker before touching any electrical wiring.   Close the valve to your gas supply. No casual handling here.

Your unit, if it is a tank type, will have both heating elements and an anode rod.

Hard water allows the accumulation of lime or scale on the element. The speed of this process depends on the level of hardness of your water.

The submerged anode rod is sacrificial. It is added to attract water ions that would otherwise damage your tank.  The anode rod requires replacing every year or two.  A water heater contractor can be a good choice in this matter. It’s not that hard, but it is a process. Your elements are replaceable.  Cleaning them takes time and a little creativity. Go ahead and replace them.

Suggestion: tape a gallon size zip lock bag to your water heater tank. This is where you keep your manual and completed (dated) maintenance schedule.

3. Understanding the “softness” of water

Hard water causes heating elements to foul quicker.  When the elements begin “hissing”, it is a sign they are being fouled by being covered with lime.  They continue to heat, but not as efficiently.  Their ability to heat water will gradually diminish. Don’t wait for the “hissing” sound, follow the manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations.

disadvantages of hard water

Your manual states that using a water softener may cause the anode rod to deteriorate quicker.  You may enjoy the soft water, but your water heater will need more attention.

Conclusion

  • Save your money by managing your thermostat setting.
  • Regular maintenance and attention will protect your heater and extend its lifecycle.
  • Knowing the softness of your incoming water will help manage your maintenance schedule.
  • All this will extend your family budget.
  • For more information about your water heater reach out to your local plumbing company

5 Reasons Why You Need a Water Softener for Your Home

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Tap water that we use for in our daily purpose contains minerals like calcium, lime, chalk, and magnesium. The increased levels of these minerals in water make it hard. Hard water is unhealthy for consumption and for domestic use. Although many people use mineral water for drinking, excessive use of mineral water can result in health and domestic hazards. It’s essential to remove excess levels of minerals from water to make it suitable for drinking as well as for domestic use like bathing, washing, cleaning, etc. Water softeners are filters that convert hard water into softer water by filtering out the minerals.

Below are few important reasons why you should install a water softener in your home:

1. Easier Cleaning

When you wash dishes and clothes in hard water, they may end up with white spots, streaks, and soapy residue. Soft water helps to rinse off the soap residue more thoroughly, leaving your dishes and clothes cleaner. Moreover, water softening also reduce the amount you use for detergent or soap you need for cleaning, which helps to save your expenses for these products.

You will notice that house water softeners prevent the detergent curd and soap film buildup in bathtubs, showers, sinks, and other cleaning devices, and they stay cleaner and efficient.

2. Keep Your Skin Smooth and Well-Nourished

The calcium and magnesium present in hard water mix with anions in soaps resulting in soap scum on your body or sticky skin. This film does not dissolve even with rinsing and stays on your skin causing clogged pores, skin irritation, and dry or itchy skin.

Moreover, using dry water on the skin can also lead to acne. Therefore, install water softener in your home because bathing with soft water is better for your skin.

3. Extended Water Appliance Life

Minerals of hard water can buildup in washing machines, dishwashers, coffee makers and other water appliances. This can result in clogging of minerals within these devices which can cause them to burn out. It’s better to invest in a water softener that will prevent the minerals from building up within these appliances.

Therefore, use of soft water helps to extend the life of water appliances. You will end up saving money because these devices will last longer, and you will be replacing them less frequently.

4. Faster Heating of Water

Your water heaters can quickly heat soft water, while heating hard water requires comparatively more time. It is estimated that water softeners can improve the efficiency of electric water heaters by 22 percent and that of gas water heaters by 29 percent. If you are using a walk in tub, it will help in faster heating of water for bathing.

Hard water can also cause mineral buildup in the water heaters, decreasing their efficiency to heat water. Water softeners improve the efficiency of water heaters resulting in lower utility bills.

5. Reduce Pipe and Faucet Damage

Hard water causes scaly deposits in pipes and faucets. Your home plumbing system is severely affected as these deposits buildup over time, resulting in clogs and corrosion.

Moreover, hard water can also clog your showerheads and valves. Water softeners eliminate the mineral buildup in your plumbing system, extending its life and helping your fixtures to operate effectively.