It’s no secret that we all take advantage of a hot shower on a chilly winter’s day, but it isn’t just a coincidence that most hot water systems fail during the colder months.
As the overall temperature drops to what often feels like below zero and we spend more time under the hot water trying to defrost our hands and feet, our systems are required to work longer and harder to heat the water to temperature.
Consider comparing your hot water system to your car; the more you use it, the more wear and tear to it’s components and without a regular service and assessment, you’re going to have problems.
Did you know that on average, a household hot water system cycles approximately 15,000 times in a year? In comparison, think about how many times you start your vehicle each year…
Why would you service your car and not your hot water system?
We’re here to help you understand how your system works and why it is imperative that you engage a qualified plumber to service your system each year.
When water is heated inside a hot water system, the tank expands. The cooler the water entering the tank, the longer the cycle and the greater the expansion of the tank. Over time, the tank will weaken and can be the reason you’re left without hot water.
Electric systems also have another very important component inside the tank, a sacrificial anode. Although the weakest component of a system, anodes have a very special role. They work by oxidising or rusting due to an electrochemical reaction inside the system, and they take one for the team by being the first part of your tank to rust to prevent other areas of your system from corroding instead.
The excessive rise and fall of the water temperature during winter will put pressure on the pipework connected to the system, and that is why it is a legal requirement to ensure that a temperature pressure relief and expansion control valve are installed to your system. These valves relieve excess pressure from the pipework and from inside the tank to prevent rupture or explosion.
We recommend servicing in accordance with the below schedule:
Every Six Months:
- Test pressure and temperature relief valves
- Test cold expansion valve if fitted
- Test non-return valve
- General assessment of the tank
Every Five Years:
- Replace pressure and temperature relief valves
- Replace sacrificial anode
- Test non-return valve
- Check tempering valve
It goes without saying that routine maintenance of your system will help prolong the life of your tank and prevent the costly exercise of replacing the entire system prematurely.
We understand this may seem overwhelming and how dare no-one tell you this information sooner – but crisis averted, we are here to help!
Our friendly and experienced team will service and assess all these components and overall condition of your system, providing recommendations for improvements where necessary and ensuring you’re winter ready.
Call us today on 07 5370 9970 to make your booking!