Do water heaters require regular maintenance?

Just got a brand new water heater? To maximize its lifespan, follow these maintenance tips.

If your tap water is particularly hard, ferrous or calcareous, it’s important that you fully empty your hot water tank once every year. To find out how to proceed, refer to the owner’s manual. However, if your water heater is combustion-powered, call a professional to do the work. Regular drainage will prevent sediment buildup at the bottom of the tank, which can damage the appliance. Buildup in a sealed combustion heater is especially hard on your energy bill, as this particular type of appliance heats water from the bottom. It doesn’t take much accumulated residue to hinder heat transfer and reduce the water heater’s efficiency.

Finally, periodically check on the state of your water heater’s sacrificial anode (the component that protects the exterior from corrosion) and make sure that the safety gasket is still perfectly watertight to avoid unpleasant surprises.