Posted: March 16, 2026

What Upkeep Does My Water Heater Need?

A Little Easy Maintenance Keeps Hot Water Flowing

There isn’t a much worse way to start your day than stepping into an unexpectedly icy shower. We tend to take hot water for granted. After all, unlike your heating equipment or your air conditioner, it’s the one system you use every single day. Between bathing, dishwashing, and laundry, the typical household uses about 65 gallons of hot water a day. In winter, your water heater needs to work even harder—mainly because the air and water is colder.

Considering how hard your water heater works for you, it demands very little attention from you. In fact, no matter whether you have a tank style or a tankless unit, water heaters are fairly low maintenance. With a little routine care, your water heater can last longer and perform better—and more efficiently. Here’s what you need to know:

Tank Water Heaters

If you have a tank-type water heater, the most important maintenance task is to check and replace your anode rod. Your anode rod is your tank’s main defense against rust.

What’s an anode rod?

• It’s a steel rod coated in aluminum, magnesium, or zinc.
• It attracts corrosive elements in the water so they attack the rod instead of the tank lining.
• It helps prevent rust, leaks, and premature tank failure.

Why it matters:

• Corrosion is one of the biggest reasons tank water heaters fail.
• As long as the anode rod is intact, your tank is well protected.

When to check it:

Most rods last several years, but lifespan depends on:

• Water chemistry (acidity or mineral content)
• Household water usage
• Water softeners (which can cut anode rod life roughly in half)

How to:

While it’s possible to inspect and replace the anode rod yourself, it can be complicated—and it’s included in any professional maintenance service.

Tankless Systems

If you’ve made the switch to tankless water heating, you don’t need to worry about an anode rod. But you do need to flush the system regularly to ensure longevity and keep your unit operating well.

Why flushing matters:

• Minerals in your water form scale buildup inside the unit.
• Scale can reduce efficiency and eventually affect performance or lifespan.
• Tankless systems can accumulate scale quickly because they heat water on demand.

How often to flush:

• Once a year for most homes
• Twice a year if you have very hard water
• “Smart” units can alert you when it’s time to flush the system

How it’s done:

• Handy homeowners can follow manufacturer instructions to circulate a vinegar solution through the system to dissolve mineral buildup.
• Many units come with flush kits to make the process easier.
• Prefer to work with a pro? We’re happy to help.

Hot Tip

Turning down the temperature on your water heater can save as much as 10% on heating costs. Most water heaters have a default setting of 140° but that’s not only dangerous, it’s also inefficient. Reducing the temperature setting to 120° will meet all your hot water needs. When you consider that heating water accounts for close to 20% of your heating costs, you may want to talk to us about upgrading your water heater to a high-efficiency model that can help you save even more.

Need Tank Maintenance?

Whether you’d like us to check your equipment, perform routine maintenance, or you’d like to talk to us about a new water heater for your home, our Superior team is ready to answer all your questions. Contact us today!