Plumbing and Water Heater Maintenance
Water Heaters
Conventional water heaters, the most common type of water heater found in the U.S. and Canada, heats hot water and then stores it in a 30-70 gallon tank.
A heating element, fired by oil, gas or propane warms water in the tank from 10 degrees C to around 49 degrees C. The hot water rises to the top of the tank and new, cold water is piped into the bottom. A flue carries the combustion waste products out of the tank, through an exhaust system and out of the house. Electric water heaters are also common, but do not require a flue or ventilation system.
Maintaining conventional water heaters means checking periodically for evidence of rust, leaks or failure to heat water.
• To check for rust, you may have to use a small mirror to look under the bottom of the tank.
• Some condensation around the bottom of the tank is normal on gas-fired models during the first few minutes of operation.
• To give you some peace of mind, you might consider adding a catch pan with hose attachment so that water could be directed to a drain, preventing damage.
Maintenance Matters
Lifestyle must be considered when choosing a water heater. Those with low hot water needs may be able to reduce energy costs with a tank less water heater or solar system. Others may choose the conventional storage water heater or heat pump with tank. A combination hot water heater and boiler system for the home provides everything in one unit.
Canada’s Office of Energy Efficiency publishes a First Hour Rating on its Energy Guide Labels as a guideline to assist consumers in purchasing a conventional water heater. A First Hour Rating is the amount of hot water in gallons a heater can supply per hour. The rating is based on tank capacity, source of heat and the size of the burner or element.
A table listing family size and average hot water use is available from the OEE. It estimates the number of times during the busiest hour of a family’s day someone in the house showers, baths, shaves, washes hands or face, shampoos hair, hand washes dishes, runs automatic dishwasher, prepares food, or washes clothes.
Plumbing
The plumbing system in a home includes piping for fresh water coming in and wastewater going out. The proper flow of water through both systems is an essential part of maintaining a well-functioning home. That’s why assessing the system for overall condition and visible leaks is part of any home inspection.
The pipes related to the water and wastewater plumbing must be separate to prevent wastewater from entering the drinking system. Many times pipes for the two systems are made of different materials. Supply pipes are generally made of copper, brass, galvanized steel or CPVC (plastic). Common drain piping includes ABS and PVC plastic, usually in newer homes, or black iron or galvanized steel in older ones.
In Canada, about 15 percent of an average home energy bill goes to heat hot water. The hot water heater is second only to the furnace in top energy users. Changing the type of water heater used to a more-efficient model can help, but if your conventional water heater is working fine, consider the following tips:
1) Install low-flow fixtures in sinks, bathtubs and showers. Using a low-flow shower head – which reduces the amount of water, but not the water pressure – can cut water use in the shower by 30 percent according to the Canadian Office of Energy Efficiency.
2) Fix leaks right away.
3) Purchase energy-efficient dishwashers and clothes washers. Both dishwashers and clothes washers come in small-capacity sizes which can seem to be more energy efficient at a glance. However, if the smaller capacity means more loads of dishes or clothes, the savings can be eaten up over time.
4) Turn down the water heater thermostat if you’re going to be away for a few days or more. This will save energy.
5) Check the manufacturer’s instructions for other maintenance tips.
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