Is your hot water system failing you?
Many of us rarely think about our hot waters systems. Day in day out, we turn on our hot water taps and are rewarded with piping hot water without even having to think about it….until we start getting cold water. When problems do occur, a little knowledge and good maintenance may be all that is required to get your hot water system working again.
Here are the common signs of failing hot water systems and how to better maintain them.
The age of your hot water system matters
Hot water systems should last at least a decade, with some making it to the ripe old age of 35 years, but if they are going to fail, it will most likely be during winter.
It’s true, Hot Water Systems keep us busy during winter because they are working harder at keeping your water hot. There is more strain on the components, and the older they are, the more likely they are to fail.
Stainless steel systems won’t rust out and should give you a solid 12 years of service.
Hot water system maintenance is important
You can do some maintenance to keep a system in peak working condition for longer.
Every five years, you can replace the TPR safety valve and the anode. This will prolong the life of the unit. If your plumber asks to do a safety inspection, you should take them up on their offer.
Safety inspections pick up on faults, which will give you some time to start saving for a hot water repair or replacement.
Signs your hot water system is about to fail you
Rusty coloured, or yellow water coming out of the taps, hot water running out quicker than it should, and visible signs of rust are all indicative of a system on the brink of failure.
If you suddenly find yourself without hot water include checking the fuse box to make sure the circuit hasn’t tripped, check that the gas is turned on, and the pilot light hasn’t gone out if you have gas systems.
Advice on gas hot water systems
People are making the switch to gas because of electricity price hikes. Gas Hot Water Systems come in two flavours: storage, and instant.
A storage hot water system will always have hot water because it doesn’t need the power to ignite. But you will still use the same amount of gas even if you head out for a week.
A Gas instantaneous HWS is the most efficient option because gas is only used when a tap is turned on. It does need power for ignition, though. If the power goes out, you won’t have any access to hot water.
Safety protocols with your hot water system
The safety protocols for new hot water systems in 2008 says that they must have a Tempering Valve to limit temperatures to 50 C. This is a protective measure to ensure people don’t receive severe burns from hot water – which is especially important when there are small children or elderly in the house. Most gas instantaneous systems have a built-in chip to limit temperatures.
Need help with local businesses in Northern Beaches Sydney?
Did you know Tradebusters Connect powers the Northern Beaches Top 3 Local Choice directory? Unlike other directories, the businesses listed here undergo an interview and screening process for your peace of mind. From local trades, real estate, property, and finance service providers, we’ve got you covered with genuine recommendations.