Protecting Your Water Heater from Philadelphia Winter Weather

There is nothing more soothing than taking a warm shower after braving against the blustery winter winds. On the flip slide, there is nothing more irritating than a busted water heater in the dead of the season. To avoid such a fiasco from happening, proper maintenance is of the utmost importance. If you live in a colder region, such as Philadelphia, here are some tips on protecting your water heater from the relentless and chilly winter weather.

Flush the System

Before the winter weather picks up and your water heater has to work harder to produce hot water, you should find a professional off of ServiceWhale to drain and flush the system. You should actually do this annually because, especially with a hard-water source, sediment can gather and build up at the bottom of the tank.

This type of waste can prevent your water heater from running efficiently, which can then increase your utility costs and shorten the life of the unit. But by flushing the tank out, your water heater can run at optimum efficiency, keeping you warm throughout the winter.

Check the Pressure Valve

While your ServiceWhale contractor is performing maintenance on your water heater tank, you should also have them check the pressure valve. This valve opens to release pressure from the tank. If there is a malfunction with this valve, and the tank is over pressurized, there could be some serious damage to your home.

Though this type of inspection should be done every six months, have it checked before the winter. This will ensure that you won’t have any major issues during the coldest days of the year, or when snow inevitably covers all of Philadelphia.

Install a Shutoff Valve

In the event of a nasty winter storm or your water heater starts to leak, an automatic shutoff valve will come in handy. This valve will cut off the fuel source and water supply to the appliance if it detects a certain amount of standing water. Having one installed can help in protecting your water heater and saving your home from costly repairs. Just be sure to have any issues addressed by a professional before you attempt to use hot water again.

Adjust the Temperature

If you adjust your water heater’s temperature to 140 degrees, you could save money on your utility bills and reduce the risk of scalding yourself. For the wintertime especially, a lowered temperature on your water heater will allow for it to do less work, reducing the strain on the system. Ask your ServiceWhale technician to do so for you if you are unsure how to adjust the temperature.

For When You Leave Town

Heading out for the holidays? Make sure that the water in your plumbing systems won’t freeze by setting your home’s thermostat to at least 68 degrees. Some water heaters even have thermostats with a “vacation” setting, which will keep the pilot light on without heating the water, thus saving you energy costs while still protecting your system.

Winter is fast-approaching in Philadelphia — do you have more questions about protecting your water heater? If so, visit our website at ServiceWhale and contact us for additional information on finding the right contractor to help you.