If there’s a time of the year when you want your hot water system to perform at its best, it’s winter.  Let’s go over a few things that you can do to make sure your water heater provides constant hot water, stays safe and doesn’t fail you.

1. Check the environment around your water heater. If it’s in a cold area like a basement, check if there’s any cold air getting through windows or doors for example, that may need re-caulking.
2. Ensure that solvents, paints and flammables are kept away from your water heater.
3. Look for any rust marks or leaks. Check if the safety relief valve is dripping.Flush the water heater. In gas systems, this will remove sediment that’s interfering with heat transfer.
4. Check that the hot water delivery is not too high, this could mean you have a faulty thermostat. Hot tap water accounts for one in five people admitted to hospitals for scalds-related injuries.
5. Insulate your pipes, particularly externally exposed ones, to limit heat loss. Pipe insulation is easily available from your local hardware or DIY store.
6. Reduce hot water usage. Having water efficient showerheads, short showers or showering with a friend is a good starting point. Use cold cycles for washing machines