Most of the heater manufacturers ship the new water tanks with the temperature set fairly high. So reducing the thermostat that controls the water temperature to about 115 degrees will certainly help keep your water heater services running longer as well as provide comfortable hot water throughout your house.
About once every month or so you should drain the water from the bottom of the tank to remove or reduce the amount of build-up. A method to reduce the the water heater service operating cost is to drain the water till it runs clear. Over time, as materials build up in the tank, it not only reduces the amount of space for water, but it will also take longer to heat the water - this consume more power.
A little mechanical aptitude can go a long way in water heater services as some of the tips involve fixing the leaking faucets and using low-flow shower heads. This will help reduce the amount of work the heater tank has to do to keep the water hot. The less the tank needs to work, the longer it should last.
Condition Determines The Need For Replacement
There are many things that can go wrong with a hot water tank, so it is important to know what to look for to spot trouble before it happens. All hot water tanks, be it gas or electric, are fitted with a pressure relief valve. If you find this valve leaking, it is a sign of potential serious problems and signals a need for water heater services.
On gas hot water tanks type, the typical fault that require water heater services is a faulty thermocouple. This piece of metal is what makes sure the pilot light stays turned on and bringing up the main burner when the thermostat indicates the water temperature in the tank needs to be heated. if the thermocouple fails, the pilot light will not stay on.
On electric hot water tanks type, the fault is usually thermostat failure. When the thermostat goes faulty, either the water will not be heated or it will be over heated, and thus causing the pressure valve to bleed off the excess pressure.
While most minor water heater services can be performed by the homeowner themselves, those who are uncomfortable with performing this type of service work, or if the water heater services involves plumbing, gas or electric connections, it may be wise to call in a licensed service professional.
