An underperforming water heater can be a frustrating problem to have. Whether it results in the water in your Rocky River home being cooler than you’d like or if you are simply frustrated with how high your bill have been lately, there are a number of reasons why your water heater might be under performing and not all of them involve replacement or even needing repairs. Here are some and the best ways to handle each:
- Sediment or Mineral Build Up – Over time, the bottom of your water heater can build up a layer of dirt or sediment due to hard water. This is perfectly natural and doesn’t damage your water heater, but it does block absorption of heat from the burners by the water in the tank and can reduce efficiency.
- Dirty Air Vents or Grates – The air vents below your water heater can get clogged with dirt or dust which can lead to not enough air getting to your pilot light and it going out on occasion. This can also result in poor burning and inefficient heating which is bad for your system as a whole.
- Bad Pilot Light Igniter – If the pilot light refuses to stay lit or if you have an electronic igniter that doesn’t always work, it can affect the performance of your water heater in a number of ways. For this reason, it is recommended that you have it inspected immediately for possible issues.
- Clogged Lines or Bad Thermostat – A bad thermostat may simply read the water temperature wrong and force you to turn up or down your water heater to accommodate. Clogged water lines due to old pipes can also be a problem.
When a problem develops in your water heater that has a negative impact on your home’s hot water supply, the first thing you should do is do a quick check of these things. Whatever the case, an underperforming water heater is almost always something that can be repaired.
For water heater repair or replacement in Rocky River, give Westland Heating and Air Conditioning a call today!
