How to Maintain and Repair Your Gas Hot Water Heater

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Proper care of your gas hot water heater delivers clear benefits. Good insulation can reduce heat loss by up to 45 percent and lower water-heating costs by up to 9 percent. Regular sediment removal improves efficiency and extends service life, while a functioning anode rod prevents internal corrosion—far less expensive than replacing the entire unit.

Follow the maintenance steps below to keep your system running efficiently and to reduce energy expenses.

Check the TPR Valve

• Turn off the power and shut off the cold-water inlet valve.
• Place a bucket under the discharge pipe connected to the temperature-and-pressure-relief (TPR) valve, located on the top or side of the tank. This valve opens automatically if internal pressure becomes excessive.
• Lift the lever to release a small amount of water, then return it to the closed position. If water continues to flow, drain the tank halfway, replace the valve with a pipe wrench, and install a new one.

Inspect the Anode Rod

• Attach a hose to the drain valve and remove several gallons of water.
• Using a 1 1/16-inch socket, unscrew the anode rod from the top of the heater (or beneath the top cover). If the rod is less than half an inch thick or heavily coated with calcium, replace it. Wrap the threads with Teflon tape, reinstall the rod, and tighten securely. Segmented rods are available for installations with limited overhead clearance.

Flush the Tank and Remove Sediment

• Drain the remaining water, then briefly open the cold-water supply valve to stir up bottom sediment. Repeat until the outflow runs clear.
• Close the drain valve, refill the tank, and restore power.

Adjust the Temperature Setting

Locate the temperature dial on the side of the tank and remove its cover. With a flathead screwdriver, set the thermostat to 120 °F. Lowering the temperature by 10 degrees can reduce energy costs by up to 5 percent.

If you will be away for more than three days, turn the heater off or set the thermostat to its lowest position.

Insulate the Pipes

• Use 3/8-inch-thick self-adhesive foam pipe insulation sized to match your pipe diameter.
• Slide the foam over both hot- and cold-water lines. Insulating the cold-water pipe also prevents summer condensation.
• Close the insulation by removing the release tape and pressing the seam together. If the pipe runs within 6 inches of the flue, use 1-inch unfaced fiberglass wrap instead.

Apply an Insulating Blanket

• Cut the blanket to fit around pipes, the TPR valve, and the temperature control.
• Wrap the sides of the tank and seal seams with foil tape. Never cover the top of a gas or oil-fired heater.
• For electric models, wrap a slightly oversized circle of insulation around the top and secure its edge to the tank side.

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