Every home will have a water heater. A water heater is one those conveniences that many of us take for granted. In fact, many of us do not stop to think about the heater unless there happens to be no hot water or it suddenly stops working. Many people do not realize that there are steps they can take to ensure the long life of their water heaters.

How a Heater Works

There are a number of different types of water heaters available today. These include electric water heaters, tank-less water heaters, and gas water heaters, just to name a few. Electric and gas water heaters are the two most commonly types of water heaters found in homes. They are very similar in design, except that the electric water heater has a heating element in the water tank. The gas water heater uses a burner at the bottom, and the exhaust is vented by a pipe that runs through the tank.

Cold water enters the tank near the bottom of the heater and the heating begins. As the water is being used it is constantly replaced. The pressure valve is an essential feature that prevents excess pressure from building up which can possibly causing an explosion. Tank-less water heaters as the name implies, do not rely on stored water to function. They work by directing water over the heating element, which then comes out the tap as hot water.

Maintaining Your Heater

Like so many other devices in the home, maintenance is important to keeping your heater from breaking down. Basic maintenance can actually be done in three simple steps which include:

• Turn the temperature down – The heater has a knob that controls the setting of the temperature. Putting it at roughly 115 degrees will not only reduce pressure on the heater, it will save you some money.

• Check the temperature and pressure valve – this is done by raising the lever about halfway, then releasing it. A bubbling sound indicates that the valve is functioning properly. No sound means the valve is faulty and it should be replaced.

• Flush the tank – this is not a big task and in fact does not involve removing all the water. It can be done by releasing some of the water via the drain valve near the bottom of the tank. The valve itself may vary depending on the type of tank. Sometimes it is necessary to drain all the water, but a partial flash done occasionally can help to prevent your heater from breaking down.

Tank-less water heaters are becoming more popular simply because they are efficient and require little maintenance. Checking the pressure valve and partial flushing should be done about every six months. Flushing helps to remove sediments that may have settled at the bottom. This helps to prevent rust, and it improves the tank's overall function.

So the next time you use your water heater, remember that some maintenance that you can do yourself will extend the life of the heater.