Storage water heaters can be made to last much longer and operate more efficiently by draining sediment from the bottom of the tanks every year. Simply open the faucet at the bottom of the tank and drain off a couple of gallons of water containing sediment.

You can also extend their working life by replacing the anode in the tank. The anode is a long, slender metal rod that’s usually attached to the cold water inlet pipe of the water tank. It extends down into the tank and prevents corrosion of the steel casing for reasons beyond the scope of this book. Periodic replacement can double the working life of a water tank, saving you lots of money.

Learn about the benefits of tankless water heaters on ecomii