A hot water heater is a central part of a household, and keeping it in good shape is important for many daily activities, including showering, doing laundry and washing dishes. Identifying some common problems with water heaters is a great way to save money and time on fixing them, and there are easy ways to figure out –and fix –water heater problems. Both gas water heaters and electric water heaters can have similar problems, and fortunately, there are easy fixes for both.
Gas Water Heater – Why is the Water Too Hot?
Excessively hot water coming from a gas water heater can mean that the tank’s temperature is up too high; this will produce a large amount of hot water, which can lead to a painful moment in the shower. Check the thermostat on the water heater, and turn it down several degrees. Wait an hour or two before checking the water again, to give the tank time to adjust to the new temperature.
Gas Water Heater – Why is the Water Too Cold?
If the temperature on the water heater is too low, the tank may produce only lukewarm or cold water. If the water does not heat up after running for thirty seconds to a minute, check the temperature on the heater and turn it up several degrees. As with turning down the heater, allow the tank to warm up for an hour or two before running the water again.
If the water remains cold, check the pilot light on the hot water tank. If the pilot light is out, the water heater will not be able to run. A professional plumber may be required if the pilot light refuses to stay light after it has been turned back on; this can indicate a leak or another electrical or plumbing problem.
Electric Water Heater Problems
If an electric water heater is producing water that is too hot or too cold, the same steps can be used to fix it. Check the thermostat on an electric water heater to see how hot the water is, and adjust it to a warmer or cooler temperature. Check the electric heater to see if it is running if adjusting the thermostat does not solve the temperature problem.
Leaking Hot Water Tank
A leaking hot water tank can make a big mess, and cost a lot of money. Check all visible pipes to see if the leak can be identified, and tighten the pipes with an adjustable wrench from a home repair kit. Turn off both the water and electricity before working on plumbing projects.
If the source of the leak cannot be easily identified, call a professional plumber or technician to look at the hot water tank and fix the leak.
Water Heater Prices – How to Save Money on a Water Heater
There are a number of ways to save money on heating water. Start by installing a timer on electric water heater tanks that will run the tank for a certain period of time and shut off the heater when it is not in use. This can save a great deal of money each year on the energy it takes to heat household water.
Regulating hot water use can also save money. Use hot water only when necessary, as for showering. Laundry can be safely washed in cold water, and clothes will still get clean. Use cold water for cleaning projects whenever possible; this will help limit the amount of hot water used, and save both money and energy.
http://home-plumbing.suite101.com/
http://furnasmanonehourfurnace.ca/
Related Websites - How to Start Saving More Right Now For many of us, saving is something that we always plan to do, but never quite get around to it. The bottom line is, if you don’t have a savings account and a regular plan...
- Is On-Demand Hot Water Right for You? Many years ago, I rented a house that had on-demand hot water. Sometimes known as tankless or instantaneous hot water, it is an effective way to save fuel on water heating. Because fuel is only...
- 15 Tips to Save Money on Vacation David Hamilton (aka FPT Guy) is the author of Financial Planning Tips, where you can find sensible information on personal finance for the average Joe or Jane. Besides being passionate about his finance blog and helping...
- Tankless Water Heaters: Cost Effective, Environmentally Friendly Devices. It is a problem that has happened to all of us. You go in for a hot shower, only to find that there is no more hot water. You have come to the decision it...
- Cut Energy Costs Are you looking for ways to save more money? Of course, we all are in a money saving mode and for good reason. When you save money on day-to-day expenses you make available more money...
- More on How to Winterize Your Home Winter is just around the corner and this means getting your home ready. While this is mainly important for those that live in colder climates, many of these tips are useful even if you have...
