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Steps to Follow When Draining Your Water HeaterHow many days can you go without using hot water in your Michigan home? Probably not very many, if any. Yet, water heaters are often forgotten about until something goes wrong. Make sure you flush out your tank each year to increase efficiency and extend your equipment’s lifespan. Follow these simple steps for draining your water heater.

Draining Your Water Heater

  • Test the temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valve before draining your water heater. Then, place a bucket beneath the valve or discharge tube. When you pull and release the valve, you should hear a hissing noise or see water flowing out. If this occurs, it’s working.
  • Next, shut off the gas supply line to the water heater, and turn off the gas control knob.
  • Then, turn off the breaker to the water heater at the circuit panel.
  • Turn on a water outlet in your home to use up all of the hot water (your bathtub is the quickest option). When the water temperature cools down, you may proceed.
  • Hook up a garden hose to the drain valve, and run the other end to the drain or outside your home. It should be at a lower elevation than the drain.
  • Next, turn off the cold water intake to the water heater, turning on a hot water faucet or outlet in the home to release air and expedite draining.
  • Then, turn on the drain valve. After the water heater has completely drained, turn on the cold water intake to continue flushing out the bottom of the storage tank for three to five minutes.
  • Afterwards, close the drain valve and allow the cold water intake to fill the water heater.
  • With a hot water outlet still open in your house, allow the outlet to run full for three minutes with no air coming out. Then, turn the outlet off.
  • Next, turn on the circuit breaker, gas supply line and gas control knob.
  • Finally, turn on your pilot and enjoy efficient hot water.

For more tips on draining the water heater in your Troy or Utica home, or to schedule professional service, contact Aladdin Heating & Cooling.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Warren, Michigan about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about water heaters and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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