How often do we pay attention to our hot water system, except during those arctic winter mornings when the shower runs cold? Unfortunately, the unpleasant snap of reality reminds us that a hot water system, like any home utility, requires regular maintenance. Our reliance on warm water for day-to-day activities such as cooking, cleaning, and bathing makes it crucial that we understand how to help our hot water systems function optimally, not just immediately post-installation, but for years to come.
Installed a new hot water system recently? Congratulations! Now the focus shifts towards ensuring its longevity and avoiding any unnecessary expenses. Or perhaps, you’ve been long-term committed to your existing hot water system? Either way, regular maintenance can reward you with uninterrupted service and lower energy bills. So, where does one start?
In this comprehensive guide, we explore professional tips for maintaining your hot water system, addressing questions like ‘How often do you need to service your hot water system?’ and ‘What does maintenance entail?’ We’ll also delve into the pros and cons of regular maintenance and why it should take its rightful place on your priority list of home improvement tasks.
Understanding Your Hot Water System
Every nutshell has its nut, so let’s begin with understanding the basic workings of your hot water system. A hot water system operates from either a storage water heater or an instantaneous (tankless) water heater, each with its unique set of maintenance routines. Combustion-based systems (gas and oil-fired) are also different from electric-based systems or solar-powered ones. Getting well-acquainted with your hot water system will help you identify warning signs early and keep it running efficiently.
When and Why is Maintenance Necessary?
“Prevention is better than cure” fits right in when maintaining hot water systems. To prevent inconvenient breakdowns, they should ideally be serviced every 12 months by a licensed professional. Regular servicing will keep the system running at its optimum efficiency, prevent carbon monoxide poisoning in combustion-based systems, and help identify wear and tear before it escalates.
The Professionals’ Maintenance Checklist
The experts have an exhaustive list of maintenance tasks to undertake: checking for leaks, inspecting the pressure and temperature relief valve, examining heating components, inspecting flue and ventilation systems for combustion-based heaters, to name a few. This section provides a detailed explanation of these professional maintenance procedures.
DIY Maintenance Tips
While professional servicing is vital, don’t underestimate the value of simple DIY maintenance too. Regularly checking for leaks, keeping the system area clean and clear, adjusting the heater’s temperature to optimal levels can contribute significantly in maintaining the longevity of your system.
Pros and Cons of Regular Maintenance
Tossing up the benefits of regular maintenance against the monetary and time investment? This section presents a balanced view on the advantages like lower energy bills, prevention of potential faults, and extended lifespan of the system against the associated costs and time needed.
Factors Impacting the Lifespan of Your Hot Water System
Even with regular maintenance, various factors like manufacturer’s quality, installation quality, water quality, and usage habits can affect the hot water system’s longevity. Learning about these will not only equip you with wider knowledge but also enable you to make informed decisions in the future.
Conclusion
A hot water system serves as the backbone of our homes, often working tirelessly behind the scenes. Serving it with regular maintenance helps it return the favour, ensuring that you never have to step into a cold shower on a chilly morning, or experience an untimely breakdown just when you’re expecting guests.
Investing time and resources into maintaining the hot water system is an essential aspect of home ownership and facilitates an understanding of this crucial home utility. It also enables us to recognise potential problems before they morph into costly repairs or replacements.
The road to longevity for your hot water system is clear – invest in professional maintenance while also implementing DIY techniques and be aware of every other factor that could impact its lifespan. In taking this multifaceted approach to hot water system upkeep, you’ll ensure a smoothly operating home, lower energy bills and, above all, peace of mind. After all, there’s comfort in knowing that on a chilly day, there’s a warm bath waiting for you at home.
