How to Drain Your Hot Water Heater (And Why You Should)
Regular maintenance of your hot water heater is essential for ensuring its longevity and efficiency. One important maintenance task is draining your hot water heater periodically to remove sediment buildup and maintain optimal performance. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to drain your hot water heater and explain why it’s beneficial.
Why Drain Your Hot Water Heater?
Over time, sediment, minerals, and debris can accumulate at the bottom of your hot water heater tank. This sediment buildup can:
- Reduce Efficiency: Sediment acts as an insulator, making it harder for the heating element (electric) or burner (gas) to heat the water efficiently.
- Increase Energy Costs: A heater with sediment buildup requires more energy to heat water, leading to higher utility bills.
- Shorten Lifespan: Sediment buildup can cause overheating of the tank, leading to premature wear and potential failure of the heater.
- Cause Water Quality Issues: Sediment can affect water quality, leading to issues like strange tastes or odors in your hot water.
Draining your hot water heater removes this sediment buildup, improving efficiency, extending the lifespan of your heater, and ensuring cleaner, better-tasting water.
When to Drain Your Hot Water Heater
Draining your hot water heater at least once a year is recommended to prevent sediment buildup. If you notice signs of reduced hot water volume, strange noises from the tank, or increased energy bills, it may be time to drain your heater sooner.
How to Drain Your Hot Water Heater: Step-by-Step Guide
1. Turn Off the Power
Before starting, turn off the power to your hot water heater:
- Electric Heater: Turn off the circuit breaker that supplies power to the heater.
- Gas Heater: Turn the thermostat on the heater to the “Pilot” setting.
2. Turn Off the Cold Water Supply
Locate the cold water shut-off valve near the top of the water heater and turn it off. This prevents new water from entering the tank during the draining process.
3. Attach a Garden Hose
Connect a garden hose to the drain valve located near the bottom of the hot water heater tank. Position the other end of the hose in a suitable drainage area, like a floor drain, utility sink, or outside.
4. Open a Hot Water Faucet
To allow air into the tank and facilitate drainage, open a hot water faucet somewhere in your home.
5. Open the Drain Valve
Carefully open the drain valve on the water heater by turning it counterclockwise. Be cautious as the water draining out may be hot. Monitor the drainage to ensure it flows steadily and doesn’t splash.
6. Flush Out Sediment
Once the tank is empty, briefly turn on the cold water supply valve to flush out any remaining sediment. Allow the water to flow through the tank and out of the drain valve for a few minutes.
7. Close the Drain Valve
Close the drain valve tightly by turning it clockwise.
8. Refill and Restore
- Electric Heater: Turn on the cold water supply and let the tank fill before turning the circuit breaker back on.
- Gas Heater: Turn the thermostat back to your desired setting and relight the pilot light if necessary.
9. Check for Leaks
Inspect the area around the drain valve and connections for any leaks. Tighten connections if needed.
10. Monitor Performance
Monitor your water heater’s performance once the tank is refilled and the power is restored. Check for any unusual noises or changes in hot water quality.
Conclusion
Regularly draining your hot water heater is a simple yet effective way to maintain its efficiency and extend its lifespan. By following these steps annually, you can reduce energy costs, prevent premature heater failure, and ensure cleaner hot water for your household.