Water Heater Tips for the Holidays
The holidays are a time for family, friends, and lots of fun. As loved ones come to town, it's likely you'll be seeing an increase in hot water usage, making your water heater work overtime to keep up with the demand! After all, no one wants to deal with having no hot water in the middle of all the festivities!
If you want to make sure your water heater makes it out of the holiday season in one piece, follow these tips from the VP's Plumbing, Heating & Air.
Flush Your Water Heater
If your water heater is more than a year old, or you haven't done so in a while, it's probably due for a flush. This simple maintenance task removes sediment from the bottom of the tank that can cause corrosion and decrease efficiency. You'll want to do this before the holidays to make sure your unit is running at its best.
Neglecting to flush your water tank results in a decrease in efficiency and can cause your water heater to overwork itself, which could lead to a breakdown. No one wants a breakdown in the middle of all the holiday fun!
Take Shorter Showers
More people in your home means more showers. Even a small increase can cause a strain on your water heater and will likely cause you to run out of hot water. This holiday season, try to take shorter showers and encourage your loved ones to do the same. This will give the unit a chance to keep up and allows everyone to have a nice, hot shower on those chilly winter mornings.
Do Full Laundry and Dishwasher Loads
Part of the holiday season is entertaining guests. If you have extra people in your home, you're probably doing more laundry and dishes than usual. Try to do full loads in your washer and dishwasher to save time and water. This will also help reduce the strain on your water heater.
Install a New Water Heater
Another way to ensure a smooth holiday season is to replace your water heater as a whole. If your water heater is more than ten years old or is frequently in need of repairs, it might be time to replace it with a new, high-efficiency unit. Newer models are much more efficient than older ones and can save you money on your energy bill. They also have a longer lifespan, so you won't have to worry about replacing them for many years to come.
Consider all of your options when it comes time to choose a new water heater and talk to a professional about which model will work well in your home.
Schedule Maintenance
If your water heater isn't due for a replacement quite yet, be sure to at least schedule any maintenance appointments it may need ahead of the busy holiday season. Even if everything seems to be working fine, it's a good idea to have our team come and perform a tune-up in order for the unit to continue throughout the rest of the season.
Water Heater Services
We know how frustrating water heater troubles can be. That's why we encourage you to get your maintenance appointments scheduled as soon as possible before the holiday season arrives. Give the VP's Plumbing, Heating & Air a call at (914) 506-5752 to discuss your problems and book your appointment today.