As temperatures rise and daily routines shift with the seasons, homeowners often overlook a critical component of their home's comfort system: the water heater. While heat might be the last thing on your mind during warmer months, summer water heater maintenance is just as important—if not more so—for ensuring year-round efficiency, safety, and longevity. Let's explore everything you need to know about summer water heater care, including why it's essential, how to prevent common issues, and the steps you can take today to protect your home.
Why Summer Water Heater Maintenance Matters
Even though you're likely using less hot water during the summer, your water heater is still at work. Warm weather doesn’t mean your water heater takes a vacation. In fact, summer brings a unique set of challenges that can shorten your system’s lifespan or compromise its performance, including:
- Hard water sediment builds up faster during warmer weather due to increased mineral activity, especially in regions with high calcium or magnesium content. This sediment can cause water heater problems and smelly water.
- Vacation mode misuse or disuse during travel can lead to corrosion or bacterial growth inside the tank.
- Increased humidity in some areas can contribute to rust or mold around the heater.
Proactive maintenance in summer ensures your system will be in top condition before the heavy demand of winter returns. Conversely, ignoring your water heater until winter can lead to unexpected failures, cold showers, or emergency repairs when you need it most.
Common Summer Water Heater Issues
Many homeowners don’t associate summer with water heater problems, but issues can arise from seasonal changes in use patterns and environmental conditions. Some of the most common water heater problems in summer include:
- Sediment buildup: Hard water minerals settle at the bottom of the tank, reducing heating efficiency and possibly damaging the tank lining. As mentioned above, the sediment builds more quickly during the warmer months.
- Thermostat calibration issues: Many homeowners need to turn up their water heater in the winter to combat cold temperatures, but this switch is easy to forget once the warm weather rolls around. If your water heater is set too high during the summer, the water can scald members of your home, especially children, older adults, or vulnerable family members.
- Rust and corrosion: High humidity and idle time can speed up water heater tank corrosion, especially in older systems or those with a deteriorating anode rod.
Bacterial growth: When hot water sits unused in a tank, especially in warm weather, it can create a breeding ground for bacteria like Legionella. With more vacation time and summer travels, your water heater can be left vulnerable.
Professional maintenance can help prevent or mitigate the impacts of these issues on your water heater.
Summer Water Heater Maintenance: Step-by-Step
Ready to protect your water heater? Here’s your streamlined, effective plan to make sure your water heater stays in peak condition through the summer and beyond.
- Lower the Temperature Setting: In summer, you don’t need scalding hot water. A professional will set your thermostat to a maximum of 120°F (49°C) to save energy, reduce pressure on the tank, and prevent accidental burns.
- Flush the Tank: Especially in Sacramento, minerals and sediment accumulate inside your water heater tank. An expert will drain your tank to remove buildup, improve efficiency, and prevent strange noises or premature failure.
- Inspect the Anode Rod: This sacrificial rod prevents the tank from rusting. If it's heavily corroded or less than half an inch thick, your plumbing professional will replace it. Check this at least once every 1–2 years, especially in older tanks.
- Check for Leaks or Moisture: Your maintenance professional will look around the base of your tank for any dampness, rust, or corrosion. Early signs of leakage often go unnoticed in humid summer months.
- Test the Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve (T&P Valve): This safety component prevents your tank from exploding under pressure.
- Clear the Area Around Your Tank: Make sure the area is free of clutter to improve airflow and prevent fire hazards. This is especially crucial for gas-powered water heaters.
- Consider a Vacation Setting: If you’re leaving town for an extended time, either turn your unit off or set it to vacation mode (many modern units have this feature) to reduce energy use and limit wear.
- Insulate Exposed Pipes: Even in summer, insulating your pipes can maintain water temperature and improve overall efficiency. It also prevents condensation from forming on cold water lines.
Even if you’re comfortable handling basic maintenance, a licensed plumber can spot early signs of trouble you might miss. A once-a-year professional checkup is a smart preventative measure.
Tank vs. Tankless: Summer Maintenance Differences
If you have a tankless water heater, your summer maintenance checklist will differ slightly. An expert will complete specialty maintenance steps, including:
- Descale the system annually using a manufacturer-approved cleaning solution.
- Clean or replace the water filter inside the unit.
- Ensure the air intake and exhaust vents are free of obstructions, especially pollen or debris from summer storms.
Tankless systems are more efficient overall, but can suffer just as much from hard water and improper maintenance if ignored.
Bonus Tips for Energy Efficiency
Summer is also a great time to optimize your home’s energy use. A well-maintained water heater can reduce your utility bills year-round. Consider these upgrades or changes:
- Install a timer to shut the water heater off during low-use periods.
- Switch to a heat pump water heater for even greater efficiency (these work well in warm climates).
- Add a water softener to reduce mineral buildup if you have hard water—this extends the life of your unit significantly.
When to Replace Your Water Heater
Maintenance can stretch the life of your unit, but no appliance lasts forever. Most tank-style water heaters last 8–12 years, while tankless systems can go up to 20 with proper care. If your water heater is over a decade old and showing signs of wear (rusty water, leaks, inconsistent heating), summer is a smart time to replace it—before you're caught in the cold with no hot water.
Summer might not seem like the time to think about your water heater, but taking a few preventative steps now can save you from costly repairs or replacements later.
Sacramento Water Heater Maintenance: Boyd
If you are ready to schedule water heater maintenance, the local professionals at Boyd are here for you. We proudly offer water heater maintenance, repair, and replacement services to the greater Sacramento area, including Rancho Cordova, Fair Oaks, Orangevale, and beyond. Our specialists invite you to give us a call at (279) 215-8674 or explore our coupons to get started today!
