As the fall weather creeps in, your water heater undergoes some changes. When colder water enters your home and household demand shifts, efficiency can dip and put increased stress on the system. Here are some factors that will contribute to appliance strain and why maintenance is so important for efficiency.
Colder Incoming Water
As the air turns chilly, the water entering your home from municipal lines or a well gets colder. Your heater must bridge a larger temperature gap to reach your set point, so it runs longer and uses more energy.
Greater Hot Water Demand
The demand for hot water increases as it gets colder outside. This is because many people enjoy hotter showers during this season. Furthermore, with the holidays approaching, there can be more laundry, more dishes to wash, and more guests in your home, all of which increase the need for hot water.
Increased Strain on Your Water Heater
The combination of colder water and higher demand forces your water heater to work harder. It may run more frequently and for longer periods. This increased workload puts a strain on older or poorly maintained systems. It also increases the potential for a system failure right before the busy and cold winter season.
Performance Issues
When outdoor temperatures drop dramatically, the incoming water supply can be extremely cold. Tankless water heaters heat water on demand rather than storing it in a tank, which means they must instantly raise the temperature of that colder water to what you desire. If the system is not well maintained, it will not keep up with the demand, and this can sometimes result in lukewarm baths and showers. It is essential to have the system professionally descaled, and the filters and the screens must be cleaned.
Heat pump water heaters pull heat from the surrounding air. Their efficiency drops during the fall. As a result, they rely more on less efficient electrical resistance heating to maintain the water temperature. While the basic efficiency of traditional gas and electric water heaters is less affected by ambient temperature, they still use more energy when heating colder water.
Water Heater Maintenance
Scheduling maintenance in the early fall ensures your water heater is in top shape before the increased winter demand. This is also a less busy time for this service compared to the peak winter months. During a service call, a plumber will check the anode rod, inspect all connections, test the pressure relief valve, and make sure there are no leaks. They will also flush out the tank if you have a traditional tank model.
An annual flush will remove sediment that has collected at the bottom of the tank. Since sediment acts as an insulator, it forces your water heater to work harder and less efficiently. Removing it improves performance and extends the system’s lifespan.
As long as you keep up on maintenance by scheduling a tune-up each fall, your water heater will be able to handle the seasonal changes in stride. This will help keep your monthly energy bills under control, and you’ll have plenty of hot water for all of your daily needs. Call Benicia Plumbing in Benicia, CA today to schedule your annual water heater service.