Dont Sacrifice the Livelihood of Your Hot Water Heater

You Can Increase the Lifespan of Your Hot Water System With a
Few Simple Measures
We have all heard the saying prevention is better than cure. In the case of a hot water heater
this is certainly true. Lets face it most would agree waking up to a cold shower in the middle of
winter would not be on most peoples to do list. An efficient, well maintained hot water service is
essential in reducing energy costs.
Around 27% of electricity used in the average Queensland household is for heating water,
making the hot water service one of the highest single energy users in the home. The average
lifespan of a water heater is 7 to 16 years so just like the servicing of a car it make sense to
keep your hot water tank well maintained.
Pressure Relief Valve
What does it do? When a hot water service is heating the water steam is created which in turn
increases the pressure inside the tank. The relief valve is the safety device that allows that
steam to escape. This is why you will see water dripping from this valve after you have used hot
water.
Where is it located? The valve is generally located near the top of the water heater at the
same level as the hot water outlet pipe.
How often should it be serviced? As this is a safety mechanism we recommend checking its
operation on a quarterly basis. With many hot water heaters installed outside you need to check
that the valve has not become blocked by ants, hornets or other creatures. An easy way to
remind yourself that it is due is to schedule the check when you receive your quarterly electricity
account.
Service Instructions:- To check the correct operation of the relief valve on you hot water
heater lift the lever on the relief valve until a steady stream of water flows. If the flow is steady
and stops once the lever is released then the valve is functioning correctly. If however, no water
comes out or it continues to leak after you have released the valve then it is likely that it needs
replacement. Difficulty in moving the lever due to mineral build up or leakage of more than 1 litre
per 50 litre of capacity in any 24 hour period is also good reason to replace this part of the hot
water heater.
Cold Water Expansion Valve
What does it do? As with the relief valve a cold water expansion valve is used to release
pressure as the water in the hot water service is heated. The pressure setting on a cold water
expansion valve is lower than that of the relief valve so it will start to release water earlier than a
relief valve. As the water released from this valve is cold, energy is conserved.
Where is it located? The valve is installed on the cold water inlet line, downstream from the
isolation valve to the hot water heater.
How often should it be serviced? As with the pressure relief valve we recommend flushing
the valve on a quarterly basis. With many hot water heaters installed outside you need to check
that the valve has not become blocked with foreign bodies. An easy way to remind yourself that
it is due is to schedule the check when you receive your quarterly electricity account.
Service Instructions:- To check the correct operation of the cold water expansion valve on you
hot water heater lift the lever on the valve until a steady stream of water flows. If the flow is
steady and stops once the lever is released then the valve is functioning correctly. If however,
no water comes out or it continues to leak after you have released the valve then it is likely that
it needs replacement. Difficulty in moving the lever due to mineral build up or constant leakage
from the valve is also a good reason to replace this part of the hot water heater.
Tempering Valve
What does it do? Tempering valves are designed to blend hot and cold water to deliver mixed
water at a constant temperature that does not exceed 50C. The internal mechanism of the
valve has a temperature sensitive element that expands and contracts depending on the
temperature of the water flowing across it. This in turn moves a piston between the hot and cold
ports thus regulating the water to maintain a constant outlet temperature and reduce the risk of
scalding accidents. Tempering valves come in a range of models, from standard to high
performance, to suit all types of water heater installations.
Where is it located? In older homes that only have a single water line from the tank to deliver
hot water you will typically find the tempering valve fitted at the hot water service hot water servic
in a connection between the cold water inlet and hot water outlet of the hot water heater. The
valve allows the water to mix and then leaves the valve in a common line to deliver tempered
water to the house. In more recently built homes a non- tempered line generally supplies the
kitchen sink and laundry with the bathrooms supplied by a tempered line as above. Occasionally
you will find that tempering valves are fitted at each of the plumbing fixtures in the bathrooms
however this is far less common.
How often should it be serviced? All valves associated with hot water are subject to operating
extremes and for this reason require periodic maintenance, servicing and in some instances
replacement. A tempering valve is at the upper end of risk assessment and for this reason
requires regular testing and maintenance as per the requirements of AS 4032.3-2004 which
states that frequency of field tests are not to exceed 12 months.
Service Instructions:- Testing, servicing and routine maintenance of temperature control
valves as per AS 4032.3 can only be carried out by suitably licensed technicians at intervals not
exceeding 12 months. It is however the property owners responsibility to ensure that routine
maintenance is carried out.
Pressure Limiting Valve
What does it do? A pressure limiting valve is a device that is ideal to be retro fitted to
households that do not have a pressure reduction valve installed at the meter on the property
boundary. It is used to control the cold water supply to the hot water heater to a pre-set
maximum pressure and in doing so prevents damage from an overpressure condition within the
heater.
Where is it located? Installation of a pressure limiting valve is undertaken downstream of the
isolation non return that can be found fitted to the cold inlet side at the bottom of the hot water
service. They come in a range of models with outlet pressure settings of 350kPa, 500kPa and
600kPa. Water to the hot water heater should not exceed 500kPa.
How often should it be serviced? Pressure limiting valves are manufactured with- in built
strainers to prevent damage to the valve from debris in the water supply. Whilst there is no set
interval at which servicing is required we would recommend having this completed at the same
time as your annual test and service of the hot water service tempering valve.
Service Instructions:- Servicing and maintenance can only be carried out by qualified and
licensed persons. If you experience a drop in hot water pressure then you will need to call (07)
5580 4311 to schedule a service call to diagnose the fault.
Isolation Non Return Valve
What does it do? Installation of a Non-Return Isolation valve is required by the Australian
National Plumbing Code on all pressurised water heaters. The isolating valve provides a shut off
point that enables the hot water to be turned off in an emergency situation and still leave cold
water to the house. The non- return feature of the valve prevents loss of water that has already
been heated thus saving energy and protects the mains water supply from backflow and
possible contamination from the water stored in the water heater.
Where is it located? An isolation non-return valve can be found on the cold water inlet supply
to the hot water service that is located at the bottom of the water heater and will be the first
valve on this pipe line.
How often should it be serviced? An isolation valve is generally trouble free for the life of the
tank as it seldom needs to be turned off. We would however recommend checking the valve
once a year to ensure it is functioning correctly.
Service Instructions:- Locate the isolation valve on the inlet water supply. Generally it can be
identified as the valve that has the large black plastic knob on top. Turn the knob in a clockwise
direction until it is screwed all the way in. If the valve is functioning correctly no water will come
out of any hot tap inside until you turn the valve back on. Once the test is complete turn the
knob in the opposite direction (anti-clockwise) until it is completely open. We would recommend
checking the valve annually when the tempering valve is serviced however if you wish to
undertake this check yourself then carry out with your three monthly check of the relief and cold
water expansion valves.
Sacrificial Anode
What does it do? The sacrificial anode is a rod manufactured from magnesium formed around
a steel core wire that runs down the centre of the hot water storage tank. The purpose of the rod
is to protect the tank from corrosion. When metal surfaces come into contact with electrolytes,
which are found in water, they undergo an electrochemical reaction known as corrosion.
Corrosion is the process of returning a metal to its natural state as an ore and in this process,
causes the metal to disintegrate and its structure to grow weak. Magnesium has a more
negative electrochemical potential than the metal used to manufacture the tank and will
therefore be consumed in place of the metal it is protecting.
Where is it located? The sacrificial anode runs down the centre of the tank and is anchored by
screwing into the top.
How often should it be serviced? Under normal conditions the water heater anode will be
consumed in four to five years, at which time the metal tank will start to corrode. It is for this
reason that we recommend replacement at four to four and a half years from installation. Areas
where the mineral content in the water is high may need to have the anode changed earlier.
Service Instructions:- We would recommend only having this undertaken by a suitably
qualified person and at the same time take the opportunity to have the tank flushed out to
remove any debris that has settled in the bottom. These two simple measures will add years to
the life of your hot water heater.
Call (07) 5580 4311 to schedule a Service Call.
Element
What does it do? The hot water heater element is the mechanism that heats the water. It works
in much the same way as an element in a kettle however in this instant the heating cycle is
regulated by the thermostat. The recovery rate (how quickly the element reheats the water) is
determined by the wattage of the element, ranging from 1.8kw to 4.8kw. The higher the wattage
the quicker recovery time however the size of the element will be determined by the amount of
water it needs to heat and the rating of the electrical wiring with in the house.
Where is it located? The element is located in the bottom of the hot water tank and is
accessed through the small electrical box at the base of the tank. As hot water is drawn off the
temperature of the water inside the tank will drop. Once it drops below the setting of the
thermostat the element is activated to heat the cold water entering the tank. Dual element
models have a second element located in the top third of the tank that is connected to the
standard electricity tariff. This allows for heating of the water at the top of the tank on hot water
units connected to night rate electricity in the event of exhausting the available hot water.
How often should it be serviced? The element on a hot water heater does not require any
regular servicing and will only need attention should it fail.
Service Instructions:- Water and electricity are a lethal combination and all servicing should be
undertaken by suitably qualified people.
Call (07) 5580 4311 to schedule a call.
Thermostat
What does it do? The thermostat is the mechanism that controls the temperature of the water
within the hot water service. Whenever the temperature of the water drops below the thermostat
setting then the element is activated to reheat the water. To prevent the development of
Legionella the thermostat should be set to heat the water stored in the tank to a temperature of
60 or higher.
Where is it located? The thermostat is located in the small electrical box at the side of the hot
water service at the base of the tank.
How often should it be serviced? As with the element the thermostat does not require
servicing and will only need replacing should it fail. It is fitted with a reset button to protect it
from overheating so if you have no hot water you may like to check this prior to calling a service
technician.
Service Instructions:- Before you do anything isolate the power to the complete house at the
meter board. Remove the screws and cover plate over the electrical box. Check if reset button
has activated, if so push back in. Replace cover and screws before turning power back on.
Replacement of the thermostat will be required if you get repeated tripping of the reset button.
Call (07) 5580 4311 to schedule a call.
hot water repairs
hot water repair