How Often Should You Service Your Hot Water System?

The thought of taking a bracingly cold shower isn’t one most people relish, but unless you have your hot water system serviced on a regular basis, you could be faced with this prospect when you’re least expecting it.

Fortunately, last-minute emergencies like a lack of hot water can easily be avoided with regular professional servicing, and when you consider that they also help to prolong the lifespan of hot water systems, they’re a bit of a no-brainer!

Let’s take a closer look at how often electric, gas and heat pump water systems should be serviced, what to look out for if your system is failing, and what you should do if a problem occurs:

When to service your hot water system:

• Gas hot water systems

Efficient and with fast heating capabilities, gas hot water systems should be serviced every 1 to 2 years. Due to internal processes including combustion, they’re prone to wear and tear.

A regular service entails checking the burners for gas leakages, and ensuring that the system is heating the water up efficiently.

• Electric hot water systems

With lower maintenance requirements, electric hot water systems should ideally be serviced every 2 to 3 years.

During a service, the sacrificial anode will be checked. Stopping rust from developing in the tank, it’s a vital component that if not checked when it should be, could cause costly and inconvenient tank corrosion.

Regular services also help stop sediment buildup, which along with corrosion, can make the system a lot less efficient.

• Heat pump water systems

This particular type of hot water system should be serviced at least annually, with some manufacturers recommending a bi-annual service to help it perform at its best.

In a regular service, the air filters will be cleaned or replaced, vital components like evaporator and condenser coils inspected, compressor and electrical parts checked along with refrigerant levels, and the unit checked for leaks. Additionally, every 3 to 4 years the sacrificial anode which can be found inside the tank, must be checked by a professional to prevent corrosion.

Signs your hot water system might need maintenance

Aside from scheduling regular services for your hot water system as outlined above, below are some common signs that your system might need more urgent attention from a professional:

• Low hot water pressure

It can be difficult to carry out everyday tasks or take a shower or bath when the flow of water from the tap is weak. One possible cause of low hot water pressure, particularly in gas and electric hot water systems, is a buildup up of sediment in the tank, which restricts the flow of water due to a lack of available space. Causing the system to work less efficiently, regular servicing should prevent this from ever becoming a problem, but should you experience a drop in hot water pressure, calling up a professional to flush the tank out, is the only solution.

• Hot water running out quickly

A leaking system is the most likely culprit for hot water that runs out quickly. In some situations, a valve may simply need to be replaced; in others, it may indicate that the tank is suffering from corrosion.

If your hot water is quickly running out, or you can see a visible leak, contact a professional immediately. Failure to act fast could end up costing you more in the long run.

• The pilot light needs frequent relighting

For gas hot water systems, a common sign of a bigger problem is when the pilot light keeps needing to be relit. This may point to an issue with the thermocouple or burner, both of which require a professional inspection.

Remember that regular servicing can mean you never encounter any of these problems over the lifetime of your hot water system.

When you need to call a professional

Most hot water systems will run efficiently when regularly serviced by a professional. While there are some basic maintenance actions you can carry out yourself – such as relighting the pilot light or flushing the tank – such tasks as fixing gas lines and inspecting valves, must always be carried out by a professional, not just for your own safety, but also for the longevity and reliability of your hot water system.

If you’re unsure whether your hot water system requires servicing, contacting a local plumbing professional and having them check it out, is always a smart move. Remember that while you may fear the worst and anticipate a big maintenance bill, this often isn’t the case. Leaving a problem and hoping for the best, however, is more likely to result in a costlier remedy.

To ensure that your gas, electric, or heat pump powered water system keeps on supplying you with a constant flow of piping hot water, be sure to schedule regular services at the recommended frequency. Not only will this prevent smaller problems from snowballing into bigger, costlier ones, but it will help keep your system functioning at its best for longer.