How Often Should I Service My Perth Hot Water System?

It’s easy to forget about servicing your hot water system. To an untrained eye, it is all working fine – Hot water when the hot tap is turned on.

Just like a motor vehicle, hot water systems in Perth need regular servicing to ensure trouble-free operation. Not having your system serviced can have drastic effects on the lifespan of your water heater and be a costly mistake. Not only can servicing prevent your tank from rupturing prematurely but can also ensure your unit is running efficiently, reducing your gas or electricity bill.

If you’re unsure when your water heater was lasted serviced, call Ember Plumbing & Gas – Perth’s hot water experts.

How often should I service my hot water system?

Different types of hot water systems have different servicing requirements. Below is a guide of how often your water heater should be serviced by a qualified Perth plumber/gasfitter:

Electric Storage – Maximum 4 Years

Gas Storage – Maximum 4 Years

Continuous Flow/Instant –Maximum 4 Years

Solar & Heat Pump –Maximum 4 Years

*The above servicing schedule is a guide only with the maximum recommended time between services, for more information please refer to the manufacture’s specifications.

Obvious signs your hot water system needs servicing

• No hot water.
• Relief valves constantly leaking water.
• Rust on the tank.
• Popping or rumbling in the hot water system.
• Pilot light will not stay on.
• Water temperature fluctuation.

Why service your Perth hot water system?

Perth’s water is high in mineral content which has a negative effect on your hot water system. The water causes build-ups of corrosion and rust which cause the relief valves, anodes, pressure limiting valve, tempering valve, isolation non-return valve, thermostat, thermocouple or the element to fail.

The longevity of the storage tank is highly dependent on a sacrificial anode, the anode is a metal rod constructed from aluminium or magnesium, and coated in zinc. The anode is inside your hot water tank, it attracts impurities and minerals in the water which can potentially cause rusting and/or deterioration to the tank which can lead to the tank rupturing.

When a storage hot water system is heating – the water expands and turns to steam which increases the pressure in the tank and must be relieved through the relief valve. The two relief valves found on storage hot water system including solar systems are the PTR (Pressure Temperature Relief Valve) and ECV (Expansion Control Valve). These valves must be opened every 6 months to ensure the valves are not ceased. If the valves become ceased this can cause excess pressure to build up in the tank leading to the tank to rupture or explode. Check out the video below of when the MYTHBUSTERS removed the relief valves imitating a hot water system with ceased relief valves.

To have your hot water system checked, call Ember today to book a hot water system inspection.