Hot water heaters are a necessity in most households, but they also consume a lot of energy and have a tendency to break down. Luckily there are maintenance schedules that can help extend the life of your water heater and keep it running at peak performance. These maintenance schedules are not mandatory, but they can help you avoid costly repairs in the future. The best time to clean the water heater will vary depending on your particular situation. If you have hard water or otherwise have minerals in your water supply that will build up in your hot water tank more frequently than if you have soft water at your source. The best way to determine which maintenance schedule is best for you is to read through each one so you know exactly what’s included and when to do it. With that said, here are some helpful tips on how often you should clean your water heater based on the type of water you have available in your home:

IF YOU HAVE SOFT WATER

If you have soft water, you should clean your water heater every other year. This is because soft water does not carry minerals and deposits like hard water does. This means that your water heater will not have to work as hard to push your water through the pipes and out of the faucets. It is recommended that you use a water softener to help protect your pipes from these build-up deposits. If you do not have a water softener installed and your water has a high amount of minerals in it, you should clean your water heater once a year.

IF YOU HAVE HARD WATER

If you have hard water, you should clean your water heater every year. This is because hard water carries minerals that build up inside your water heater. These minerals will cause deposits to form in your water heater. In order for your water heater to push your water through the pipes and out of the faucets, it must work harder. This means that your water heater needs to be cleaned more frequently than if you had soft water. If you have hard water and do not have a water softener, you should use a water softening formula to help scrub your pipes and water heater. If you choose to not use a water softening formula, you can clean your water heater less frequently.

IF YOU HAVE WELL WATER

If you have well water, you should clean your water heater every two years. This is because well water is usually soft, but it does contain minerals. These minerals will build up inside your water heater and cause blockages. To help prevent this, you can use a water softening formula in your water as it flows through the water system. If you do not have a water softening formula in your water, you will have to clean your water heater more frequently. You can manually clean your water heater by opening the tank and cleaning out the inside. You can also hire a professional to clean your water heater.

CONCLUSION

Water is such an important part of our everyday lives, and we don’t take it for granted. But hot water isn’t something that just magically happens. It’s a product of our water source and the efficiency of our water heater. The best way to make sure you have hot water on demand throughout your home is to maintain your water heater. While keeping up with the changing seasons and other factors is important, there are also scheduled maintenance tasks that will keep your water heater at its best.