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A hot water system seems like one of those appliances that you can just set up and forget, leaving it to silently work for years before it reaches the end of its natural lifespan, and we wake up one morning to an uncomfortable cold shower and a need to ring the local emergency plumber. However, like all appliances, hot water systems need to be looked after, and just a little short-term maintenance can increase your system's longevity to provide long-term performance.
The cost implications of neglect include expensive repairs, leaks or valve failures, a lack of energy efficiency, and the need for premature replacement of your old system. Here are five ways to push back against that natural wear and tear to extend the life of your hot water system.
We get a mechanic to service our car, and we go to the doctor for a check-up, so why don't we schedule regular professional inspections for our most important appliances? The hot water system works day and night to provide a stable level of hot water for your household, putting it under a great deal of pressure compared to other appliances that are only used once or twice a day.
Its location also means we probably don't pay enough attention to its workings on a regular basis, given that it is often placed outside or otherwise out of the way, and most likely wouldn't notice that something is going wrong until all we're left with is cold water. Scheduling regular professional inspections takes the guesswork out of your system's current health.
A professional technician will complete a full diagnostic process of your working system, checking its thermostat settings, its plumbing connections, the extent of build-up found or if there is any damage to internal components. Once diagnosed, these issues can be resolved long before they can create an actual problem. We suggest an ideal schedule of annually for homes with fewer people and less frequent usage, while bi-annually is best for large family homes with a high usage of hot water.
The water flowing through our residential pipes is soft water, which means that it has low levels of minerals in it, but over time, even these trace amounts can cause a build-up of sediment. This can reduce efficiency and lifespan by clogging pipes and hosing, working its way into inner components, corroding them, and reducing the available space in the hot water tank. The best way to reduce sediment build-up is to regularly flush the system's tank, clearing out all old water and debris before filling it back up again.
You can do this DIY or ask your local plumber to take care of it for you. To flush a hot water system's tank, complete the following steps:
The anode rod is a metal rod that draws corrosion and rust to itself to protect the rest of the hot water system's interior. Made from either magnesium or aluminium, this component is designed to rust and spare the less reactive metals in other parts of the system. It also pulls out sediment, making the anode rod an incredibly useful part of the hot water system's machinery.
However, eventually, the anode rod will have done all it can and the rust and corrosion coating the rod begins to hamper its effectiveness. This can cause discoloured or rusty-looking water or sulphur or rotten egg smells.
Anode rods should be checked every 1–3 years and replaced every 3–5 years, depending on the mineral density of your water supply. Given that electric hot water systems generally have a lifespan of 8–12 years, this could mean the anode rod needs to be replaced two or three times over the system's life. The anode rod can be found on the top of the system, screwed down into the tank from above.
It should go without saying that a hot water system is not a kettle, and we don't need to keep our thermostat boiling hot to enjoy hot water. For most households, the recommended temperature range is a comfortable 50–60°C. Temperatures hotter than that can cause severe third-degree burns from just a moment of exposure, so keeping the temperature too high means wasting energy and wasting water, as a higher ratio of cold water will be required to offset the heat.
Lowering the temperature can reduce the strain as well as your family's energy use, as temperatures that are too high can cause additional wear and tear on internal components. The element and thermostat are found behind a panel at the base of the hot water system's body, but as it contains a fragile electronic circuit, opening and adjusting the settings should be left to a professional.
The benefits of insulating the tank and pipes to retain heat include increased longevity of your system and its individual components, savings on your energy usage, and more reliable hot water delivered straight to your taps and showers.
Particularly for cooler climates or for those living somewhere with large temperature fluctuations throughout the year, insulating your pipes can help protect them against temperature differences. These metal pipes are hardy and durable, but over time, with years of seasonal changes, the expansion with heat and shrinking with cold, can add wear to your pipes, forming micro-cracks or splits in the seal.
You can protect your pipes (and the hot water inside them) by applying strips of pipe wrap or using foam pipe sleeves. These are readily available from hardware stores, but for more efficient options, consult with professional insulation services to protect your pipes with the most effective materials on the market.
Including regular hot water system maintenance in your home upkeep routine is one of the best ways of ensuring you have reliable hot water for your household. Inspect the system yourself to detect any strange sounds or smells, as well as discoloured water and a lack of consistent heat.
However, given the intricacy of the machinery and the risk of scalding water, it's almost always best to hire a professional plumber with experience in hot water system maintenance for a scheduled inspection or if you notice any warning signs.
Regular maintenance often pre-empts an expensive repair, as replacing a single part today is much easier and cheaper than replacing the entire system. For your peace of mind, consider implementing the tips above as well as booking a professional inspection with a Plumberoo plumber.
Our Plumberoo professionals service all of Sydney's eastern suburbs, and as locals, we can get to your place for an inspection within 2 hours! So, contact our friendly team today and let us help you get the most out of your hot water system.
