Two ways to keep your electric hot water system in good condition
Most people are extremely reliant on their home's hot water systems for essential daily tasks such as bathing and washing dishes. As such, it's worth making an effort to keep your system in good working order. Here are two ways to do this.
Recognise and address signs of problems promptly
Learning how to recognise the signs of problems with your electric hot water system, and addressing these problems promptly, is crucial if you wish to avoid incurring expensive repair bills. If you can spot defects when they first develop, they will be less likely to turn into serious (and very costly) problems that will take a lot of time and money to fix.
For example, let's say that your electric storage tank develops a leak. If you identify this issue soon after it appears, this should be relatively easy to fix (by, for instance, replacing a damaged plumbing connection or adjusting the water pressure levels). However, if you fail to recognise this leak, not only will your electricity bills begin to soar (as much of the water the system is heating will leak out of the pipes) but you may also have to pay a substantial sum of money to repair the water damage inflicted on the nearby flooring and walls.
Similarly, failing to pay attention to unusual sounds coming from your system could also have a negative effect on its efficiency levels and its lifespan. For instance, a high-pitched whining noise can often be indicative of an accumulation of scale on the electrical heating element. If you decide not to bother hiring a technician to de-scale or replace the element as soon as you begin to hear this noise, you could end up increasing your electricity bills (as the system will heat the water less efficiently) and drastically shortening the lifespan of the entire system.
Have it serviced regularly
Having your system serviced regularly by a qualified electrician who specialises in hot water maintenance is essential if you want to keep it in good condition for as long as possible.
The servicing process enables the electrician to identify and repair defects before they start to damage the entire system or affect its performance levels or efficiency. It also provides them with the chance to look for problems which may be affecting the water quality (corrosion inside the tank, for example, can result in the system generated rusty, brown-coloured water).
During a typical servicing, the electrician will usually perform a thorough inspection the tank and its components. They will check for leaks, corrosion, and problems with the temperature and pressure valves. They will also examine the heating element for signs of scale accumulation, and make sure that the electric thermostat is functioning properly and is at the correct setting.