As long as your household has hot water, you may not give much thought to the water heater. However, ignoring the appliance can lead to costly mistakes. Continue reading to learn about three of these water heater mistakes that can lead to higher energy costs.
1. Ignoring Odd Noises That Indicate Issues With the Appliance
If you hear constant popping noises coming from your home’s water heater, you may simply ignore them. You may think that the sounds are normal.
However, popping noises are often indicative of sediment buildup inside the tank, which is very common in Indianapolis due to how hard the water is here. When present, this sediment can make the water heater consume more energy because it has to work harder.
As soon as you hear these popping noises, a plumber should be called. If there is sediment present inside the tank, they can flush it out and see if the popping noises cease. If not, they can then determine what needs to be done next.
2. Keeping the Water Temperature Setting Too High
When you set the temperature on your water heater, you may have believed that the higher the setting, the hotter the water would be. While this is the case, keeping the temperature set too high is unnecessary.
More often than not, you will end up having to add more cold water to cool it off. When this is done, you are wasting water on top of spending more on energy bills to maintain the extra-high temperature.
Keep the temperature set at the setting recommended by the manufacturer or your plumber. If this setting does not provide water that is hot enough, there could be a problem with the appliance that needs the attention of a plumber.
3. Holding on to an Old, Worn-out Water Heater
When your water heater is still working, you may feel that you do not need to replace it. However, as these appliances age, they have to work harder to heat and process the water. Their electrical systems may not be able to keep up with the power demands, making them less cost-effective. The tanks may also become corroded, causing them to lose heat.
If you have had your water heater for longer than you can remember, consider replacing it with a newer, more energy-efficient model. If you are unsure about which water heater would be most ideal for your home, seek out recommendations from a plumber.
When you neglect to keep an eye on your home’s water heater, you run the risk of making mistakes that can wind up costing you a lot of money on your energy bills. If you have questions about whether you should repair or replace your water heater, contact us at JW’s Plumbing for answers.
