Having hot water at the turn of a faucet is an undeniably convenient modern development, and it’s all thanks to your home’s water heater. This hard-working appliance ensures that you can have water at the perfect temperature for your showers, hand washing, dishwashing, and other daily tasks. Given how important it is for your day-to-day functions, it’s crucial to know when to schedule water heater maintenance services.
While some water heater maintenance issues are obvious, like a complete lack of hot water, loud noises coming from your unit, and discolored water, others are far more subtle. Here are three sneaky signs that you’ll need to schedule a water heater maintenance service soon:
- Higher Energy Bills. There are several things around your home that can cause a spike in your energy bill, including your water heater. If you’ve noticed steadily increasing bills with no discernable cause, it’s worthwhile to schedule a water heater maintenance visit from a skilled technician who can determine if your heater is the culprit.
- Slow Output/Recovery Time. A short wait time is usually nothing to worry about, but if you find yourself waiting longer than usual for the water to reach your desired temperature, there could be a problem with the heating element.
- Pilot Light Issues. This problem only occurs in gas water heaters, but it’s an important one to be aware of. Your pilot light should burn at a steady rate with little to no sputtering or flickering, and the flame should be bright blue. If you constantly have to relight it, or if the flame is weak or burning more orange/yellow than blue, you should schedule a water heater maintenance service as soon as possible.
The best way to ensure you always have hot water when you want it is to stick to a regular water heater maintenance schedule. If your water heater is acting up, or you want someone you can count on for annual maintenance, don’t hesitate to contact us here at Workman Appliance Repair.