The sole purpose of your water heater is to provide hot water through your faucets and showerheads. In the winter, the air outside your home reaches sub-freezing temperatures. This cold air directly affects your water heater with several inconvenient and potentially costly ramifications.
Works Harder
Your water heater heats up the water to the temperature you set on its thermostat. However, the water coming through the pipes is much colder than it is in the warm weather season. In addition, the cold air surrounding the exterior of this appliance impacts the water temperature in the tank. As a result, your water heater must work harder to warm up the water and to maintain its temperature. Insulating your pipes and water heater is an effective strategy to address this issue. If the tank and pipes are already insulated, inspect the insulation to ensure that it is in great condition.
Uses More Energy
Because your water heater must work harder during the winter months, it uses more energy. As a result, your energy costs related to hot water consumption can skyrocket. This direct impact on your finances is combined with other seasonal expenses, such as home heating, which creates financial strain. In addition to insulating your pipes, you can adjust the thermostat to a slightly lower temperature for a beneficial effect.
Takes Longer to Heat Water
Your water heater likely can accommodate someone in your home taking a hot shower. However, if you’re running the dishwasher, doing a load of laundry, or have multiple people showering in short succession, the hot water supply may not be sufficient. Because the water coming into the tank is colder and because of the external cold air, your system requires more time to heat the water. As a result, you’ll need to adjust your water consumption habits in the winter.
May Need More Repairs
When your water heater works overtime in the winter, its critical components are strained. Wear and tear increases. This directly affects the longevity of your water heater. In addition, it can lead to more repairs and the potential for inconvenient downtime. An easy way to reduce the risk of water heater repair bills in the winter is to schedule maintenance service annually. During a routine maintenance service, the system will be thoroughly inspected by a licensed plumber, and any identified concerns can be addressed before parts completely fail.
By preparing your water heater for cold winter weather, you can minimize or even eliminate these concerns. Contact Grizzly Plumbing in Great Falls, MT for water heater service today.
