There is nothing more terrifying in the winter than having no hot water, especially if your water heater connects to your heat exchanger. Heat systems can be tricky to service because we often don't know what to look for to prevent potential problems. You should service your water heater yearly, but there are a few things you can search for yourself to avoid a possible broken heater.

How to Prevent a Broken Water Heater

1. Check the Anode Rod

The anode rod is a component that fits inside of a water heater and attracts corrosive elements in your water. Water is naturally acidic, so the anode rod improves the quality of your water by neutralizing it. Replacing this rod before it fails will prevent your heat system from failing. The anode rod needs to be replaced once every five years and can extend the life of your heater by ten more years. 

To check your anode rod, you don't need any tools. Look at the top of your water heater, as the hexagonal head should be visible. If not, check your owner's manual.

2. Clean out Sediments Quarterly

Sediments that collect at the bottom of your water heater can make it difficult for the heat in your heat system to reach your pipes. Over time, you'll notice that you'll run out of hot water faster, and the sediment could cause leakage in some cases. Not only will cleaning out this sediment make your water hotter, but it will also save you money in the process. You can clean out this sediment yourself, but be careful.

Hook up a drain hose to the bottom of your water heater, and release water from the drain. Drain out a few liters of water, and look at the water coming out of the hose. If it's brown, you'll need to flush it out. 

3. Call a Service Technician 

Everything we described for maintenance above is for a holding tank water heater. If you have a tankless water heater, it's more difficult to service the heating system yourself. To avoid potential issues, get your tankless water heater serviced once a year. Unfortunately, tankless water heaters are more expensive to service, but they heat up faster than holding tank water heaters.

Rick Ogden Heating & Air Conditioning in Loveland, OH, has installed new water heaters for more than 35 years. They are also experts in rare, older technology such as oil furnaces. If you need emergency air conditioning service, improved air quality, or a heat pump installed, visit them online, or call (513) 683-3714 to request a free estimate.