Prepare Your Hot Water System for Winter

Why You Should Prepare Your Hot Water System for Winter

As the cooler winter months approach in Australia, it’s important to prepare your hot water system to ensure optimal performance. Proper winterization can help prevent common issues like frozen or burst pipes, insufficient hot water, and extra strain on your water heater.

Without proper preparation, you may experience inconsistent hot water supply as the temperature drops. Your water heater may struggle to heat the water efficiently, leaving you with lukewarm or cold showers. Frozen pipes can also lead to costly repairs.

To avoid any hot water disruptions this winter, inspect key components like the pilot light, heating elements, and temperature and pressure relief valve. Flushing your water heater, insulating exposed hot water pipes, and adjusting the thermostat can maximise efficiency. Descaling tankless systems also removes mineral deposits.

While DIY winterization is possible, a professional plumber has the skills and experience to thoroughly inspect and service your system. This helps ensure your hot water supply remains consistent and disruption-free throughout the cold months.

Don’t wait until you lose hot water during a cold snap. Schedule winterization ahead of time so your hot water system is ready for winter when you need it most.

Inspect Key Components of Your Hot Water System

To prepare your hot water system for winter, inspect these key components:

Pilot Light

Check that the pilot light is lit. If the pilot light goes out, you’ll have no hot water. Relighting it yourself is possible, but call a professional if you’re unsure.

This small flame heats the thermocouple to signal the gas valve to open when hot water is needed.

Heating Elements

Electric water heaters have metal heating elements that can wear out over time. Test them with a multimeter to check for issues. A faulty heating element will prevent the tank from heating water properly.

Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve

This safety valve opens to release excess pressure and prevent explosion. Check it isn’t stuck shut and drain some water to flush sediment. Replace it if it’s very old or leaking.

Anode Rod

The anode rod attracts corrosion instead of the tank.

Remove and inspect it periodically. Replace if it’s substantially worn down. This protects your tank.

Inspecting these key hot water system components helps ensure optimum performance and avoids winter problems. Contact a professional plumber if you need assistance.

Check the Pilot Light

Checking your pilot light regularly is crucial to ensure your gas water heater functions properly throughout winter.

Follow these steps to inspect your pilot light:

1. Locate the pilot light assembly on your water heater. It’s typically at the bottom near the main burner.
2. If lit, the pilot light will have a small blue flame. If not lit, proceed to relight it.
3. Push in and turn the gas control knob to the 'pilot’ position.
4. Press the ignition button and hold for about 60 seconds as you also hold a lit match near the pilot light.
5. When lit, continue holding the gas control knob pushed in for 30 seconds, then release. The pilot should stay lit.
6. If it goes out, repeat the process until the flame remains on.
7. Turn the gas control knob to the 'on’ position to enable water heating.

If you’re unable to relight the pilot yourself, call a professional plumber to inspect and relight it for you.

A lit pilot ensures your water heater can fire up properly when hot water is needed. Check it regularly throughout winter to avoid disruptions.

Test the Water Heater Element

Testing the heating element in your electric hot water system is vital maintenance for winter. Here’s how to check if it needs replacing:

1. Turn off power to the water heater at the circuit breaker and remove the element’s access panel.
2. Disconnect the power wires from the element using pliers.
3. Use an ohmmeter or multimeter to test resistance. Check the manufacturer’s specs, but elements normally test between 5-25 ohms.
4. If the reading is infinite or wildly out of range, the element is faulty and needs replacing. Low readings indicate calcification.
5. To replace, drain and remove the old element. Ensure the new gasket seals properly when installing the new element.
6. Reconnect the power supply wires and access panel.
7. Restore power at the circuit breaker. Allow time for the tank to fully reheat.

Testing the element and replacing if faulty improves heating efficiency. Your hot water system must be in good working order for winter.

Inspect the Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve

Inspecting the temperature and pressure relief valve (TPRV) on your hot water system is crucial preparation for winter.

This valve is a safety mechanism that opens to release excess pressure and dangerously hot water, preventing tank explosion. It is typically located on the side of the tank near the top.

Follow these steps to inspect your TPRV:

1. Check the valve and discharge pipe for signs of leakage, corrosion, blockages or defects.
2. Manually operate the ease lever to ensure the valve can open and close properly. Allow water to flow for 5 seconds before closing.
3. Check that the discharge pipe runs downward and ends 6-12 inches above a drain. Replace if needed.
4. If the valve is leaking, corroded or faulty, contact a professional plumber to replace it.

Having a functioning TPRV ensures your hot water system stays safe and avoids catastrophic failure in winter when pressure fluctuations are common.

Annual inspections also help prevent leaks that waste water and money. Keep your family safe this winter by checking the TPRV.

Examine the Anode Rod

Inspecting and replacing the anode rod is key to winterizing your hot water system. The anode rod is a sacrificial metal rod inside the tank that attracts corrosion instead of the tank itself. This prevents rusting of the tank from the inside out.

Over time, the anode rod corrodes and needs replacing every 3-5 years. Over time, the anode rod corrodes and needs replacing every 3-5 years. Drain the tank partially and remove the anode rod. Use pipe tape on the threads and reinstall hand tight.

Inspect the rod - if it is substantially corroded, pitted or thin, replace it.

Replacing the anode rod protects your water heater tank from corrosion during winter’s temperature fluctuations. It’s inexpensive protection to extend your hot water heater’s lifespan. If in doubt, consult a professional plumber for assistance.

Maintenance for Storage vs. Tankless Systems

Hot water systems require regular maintenance, but the tasks differ between storage and tankless heaters.

Storage Water HeatersTraditional storage water heaters have a tank that holds heated water. Maintenance helps maximise efficiency and lifespan:

• Drain 1-2 buckets from the tank every 6 months to remove sediment that can hinder heat transfer and lead to corrosion.
• Check that storage tanks are properly insulated to prevent heat loss. Add an insulation blanket if needed.
• Inspect the anode rod every 2-3 years and replace if corroded. This protects the inner tank.
• Storage tanks have more parts to inspect like heating elements and relief valves. Hire a plumber if you’re unsure.

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Adjust Settings for Maximum Efficiency

Adjusting the settings on your hot water system can optimise efficiency and reduce energy costs this winter. Here are some tips:

Adjust the Thermostat

Turning down your water heater’s thermostat to 50-60°C will provide sufficient hot water for most households. This prevents scalding and reduces heat loss.

Use Timer Settings

Programmable timers allow you to turn the heater on and off during peak and off-peak electricity times for cost savings.

Install Heat Traps

Heat traps prevent heat loss through the pipes. Have a plumber install them on the hot water inlet and outlet.

Insulate Pipes

Insulating exposed hot water pipes reduces heat loss and keeps water hotter for longer as it travels to fixtures.

Upgrade Old Systems

New efficient systems like tankless or solar heaters can also lower long-term costs.

Simple adjustments tailored to your hot water usage patterns provide big savings. Consult a plumber if you need help optimising your system.

Insulate the Tank and Pipes

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Consider Hiring a Professional Plumber

While winterizing your hot water system is possible as a DIY project, there are good reasons to consider hiring a professional plumber to take care of it.

A qualified, licenced plumber has the expertise to thoroughly inspect your entire system and identify potential issues you may miss. They can make sure key components like your pilot light, heating elements, and valves are in optimal condition.

Plumbers also have experience with a wide variety of hot water systems. They know the nuances of winterizing storage tanks, tankless heaters, electric systems, gas systems, and more. Their technical know-how can optimise any system.

Hiring a pro to service your water heater before winter provides peace of mind that the job was done right. It also protects you from liability if you overlook a problem that leads to property damage later.

Professional winterization can also maximise energy efficiency. Plumbers can adjust your thermostat, install heat traps, insulate pipes, and more based on your specific needs.

Don’t wait for your hot water system to fail in the cold winter months. Prevent problems before they happen. Contact a qualified plumber to inspect and optimise your system today.