6 signs to identify a failing water heater
Jun 22, 2017 Home Appliances
Anchor: Relin Hedly
Photograph: blueflamecomfort.com
Photograph: blueflamecomfort.com
Product performance or life span of a water heater depends on the water quality in respective areas. More hardness in water (measured in ppm) or chloride content will lead to scale build up inside the tank which in turn leads to lesser hot water output, more energy consumption and premature corrosion of tank. Periodic maintenance of the unit from authorized service personnel should be done to avoid any such occurrence. A comprehensive annual maintenance contract is also offered by most manufacturers which can ensure periodic check-up of the water heater. Abhijit Banshelkikar, Head R&D, Racold Thermo Private Limited shares insights on the signs to identify a failing electric water heater.
- Less hot water output: In areas where the hardness of water is high, there is a scale build up on the heating element of the water heater. Sometimes the outlet pipe opening area gets blocked due to the same reason. In such cases, the user ends up in consuming more energy to heat the water. The indication is a visibly reduced hot water output which should raise an alarm that the water heater is failing.
- Water heater making noise: Sometimes the user experiences hissing noise or bubbling noise from the water heater. This is due to excess scale build up inside the unit. On getting heated, the sediment gets stirred resulting in the noise.
- Water dripping from safety valve: Most of the water heaters are designed to sustain 6.5 to 8 bar pressure. The function of a safety valve is to release the excess pressure built up inside, thus protecting the tank from getting burst (same as a pressure cooker). Water leakage happens in apartments in multi storey buildings where inlet water pressure goes beyond 3 to 3.5 bar. The leakage from a water heater is a sure shot sign of failure and should be bought to urgent attention of an authorized service technician.
- Muddy or reddish water: Over a period of time the metal tank of the water heater begins to rust. The rust gets mixed up inside the unit or settles down at the bottom of the tank. When you see the muddy water from the unit, call for an authorized service technician.
- Foul burning smell: This happens due to the burning of plug/ wire or harness on account of improper wiring at a user’s house. This also leads to electric shock to the user. Getting proper wiring to bear the required electric load usage of standard recommended plugs and sockets plugs, sockets, proper earthing, MCB are some of the preventive measures that should be taken to avoid this.
- Preventive measure: If you notice any of the signs, call the authorized service technician to get the water heater checked. Preventive measures should be taken to have a problem free long lasting water heater.
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About the author
Abhijit Banshelkikar
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Aazadsingh
2017-06-23 19:33:21It's really very good Technical information for common People.
Abdulkhalid
2017-06-25 15:27:18Good to know about common problems.this will definitely help to improve the efficiency of the water heater and bring down the energy consumption.
