During the summer months in Deerfield, most homeowners are focused on cooling systems and outdoor maintenance. But it’s easy to overlook something just as important—your water heater. Even though it doesn’t get as much pressure as it would in the winter, summer poses its own challenges that can gradually reduce your water heater’s lifespan if it’s not maintained properly. Small issues like sediment buildup or inconsistent water temperature might not seem urgent, but they can be signs that your system is under stress.
Taking a few simple steps during the summer can make a big difference in how well your water heater performs year-round. Whether you’re planning for guests, extended time at home, or more hot water use due to extra laundry and showers, preparation now prevents costly problems later. With proper care and attention, it’s possible to extend your current water heater’s life and avoid premature replacement.
Schedule Routine Maintenance Checks
Regular professional maintenance is one of the most effective ways to extend the life of your water heater. Over time, minerals from the water—especially in areas with hard water—settle at the bottom of the tank, forming sediment. This buildup makes it harder for the heater to warm water efficiently and can lead to overheating or tank damage.
Corrosion is another issue that sneaks up on homeowners. If left untreated, even small signs of rust can lead to leaks and internal damage that weakens the system permanently. A professional inspection helps spot both of these issues early, before they become serious and more expensive to fix.
Here’s what a standard maintenance visit typically includes:
– Flushing the tank to remove built-up sediment
– Inspecting the anode rod, which helps prevent tank corrosion
– Checking valves and pressure relief mechanisms
– Examining connections for signs of rust or leaks
– Verifying that the thermostat and elements are working properly
Even if your water heater seems fine on the surface, small internal issues can slowly reduce its efficiency. By letting our professionals inspect and service the unit periodically, you lower the risk of unexpected breakdowns and extend its overall life expectancy.
Choose the Right Temperature Setting
Setting your water heater to the right temperature can prevent unnecessary stress on the system. During the hot summer months, your water heater doesn’t need to work as hard to keep water warm, so there’s an opportunity to reduce wear by making a simple adjustment to the thermostat.
Too high of a setting can overwork the unit, especially when hot water demand increases during activities like washing pool towels or hosting guests. Water that’s heated unnecessarily above comfortable use levels also increases energy consumption and strain on heating elements.
A good target range for summer is around 120°F. This keeps water hot enough for safe use while reducing the load on your system. Most electric and gas water heaters have a dial on the lower part of the tank. If yours doesn’t have temperature indicators, turning it slightly down—without going to the lowest setting—usually lands you close to that recommended range.
Quick steps for adjusting safely:
1. Locate the thermostat on the tank (there may be two—one for upper and one for lower heating elements).
2. Use a screwdriver to adjust settings if needed.
3. Wait a few hours, then test the water temperature at a faucet.
4. Make small additional adjustments if necessary.
This small tweak can improve efficiency during summer and help your unit last longer by reducing how frequently it needs to reheat water.
Insulate for Efficiency and Longevity
A simple yet often overlooked way to reduce strain on your water heater is by improving insulation. When heat escapes from the tank or pipes faster than necessary, your system works harder than it should to maintain set temperatures. This constant cycling wears down heating elements and burns through more energy than needed, especially during the warmer months in Deerfield when your water usage might still fluctuate with guests, laundry, and outdoor cleanups.
Start by checking if your water heater already has a built-in insulated jacket. If not, adding an insulation blanket can help reduce standby heat loss, especially for older units. Pipe insulation is just as important—hot water pipes lose a surprising amount of warmth as water makes its way through the system. Foam tubing designed for pipes is cheap and easy for our technicians to install. They’ll make sure it fits properly without covering up safety areas or creating risks near the heater’s gas supply or thermostat access.
Types of materials commonly used include:
– Fiberglass blankets with foil backing
– Foam pipe sleeves
– Pre-cut fiberglass wrap with adhesive strips
Proper insulation doesn’t guarantee a longer life on its own. But by taking pressure off the system day after day, it slows down wear. When combined with other seasonal maintenance, it contributes to a more stable and efficient system overall.
Address Hard Water Problems Early
In homes where mineral-heavy water is a daily concern, hard water can quietly shorten your water heater’s lifespan. The minerals—especially calcium and magnesium—stick to the inside of the tank and heating elements, creating thick layers of scale that reduce efficiency and overheat components. When scale builds up, your water heater needs to run longer to produce the same results, wearing it down faster over time.
Luckily, there are a few ways to manage this. In some Deerfield homes, installing a whole-house water softener is the most effective long-term solution. For others, periodic tank flushing and use of approved descaling agents provide enough relief. The right choice depends on how hard the water in your area is and how frequently you use hot water.
Even if no symptoms appear right away, routine water heater inspections can detect scale buildup early. Signs like popping noises, inconsistent water temperature, or slow heating times usually clue in to existing hard water problems. Our professionals identify these signs and recommend the right treatment before more serious damage occurs.
Ignoring hard water doesn’t just compromise the water heater. It puts extra wear on laundry machines, dishwashers, and plumbing fixtures too. Being proactive now helps preserve more than one system in the house.
Manage Periods of Increased Usage
Summer often brings shifts in how much hot water your household uses. Whether it’s extra laundry from outdoor activities, more showers, or visits from out-of-town guests, those few weeks of increased demand can push your water heater harder than usual. Preparing for this can keep it from overworking itself and breaking down.
Monitoring usage patterns during these times is key. If your water heater struggles to recover quickly after heavy use, or you notice the temperature dipping frequently, chances are it’s being stretched beyond its normal limits. Instead of changing your routine completely, small scheduling adjustments can help—like staggering washloads across the week instead of cramming them into two days or avoiding back-to-back showers.
If your home regularly experiences periods like this, a professional assessment might reveal that your current water heater isn’t a good fit. A larger-capacity tank or more energy-efficient model could make a noticeable difference. In some cases, a technician may recommend supplemental upgrades, such as booster systems or mixing valves, to relieve the pressure on the main unit without replacing it entirely.
An example would be a family of five hosting relatives over the July Fourth break. Suddenly their tank, which works fine during normal weeks, struggles to supply enough hot water. Instead of toughing it out or attempting risky fixes, having our technicians check the system and recommend smart solutions can avoid burnout and extend its lifespan.
Keep Your Water Heater Ready for Every Season
Extending the lifespan of your water heater in Deerfield doesn’t come down to one big fix. It’s about staying ahead of small problems before they become bigger ones. Regular maintenance, seasonal adjustments, and being aware of how your system is performing all play critical roles in keeping it working efficiently well past its typical expiration point.
By improving insulation, staying on top of hard water buildup, checking temperature settings, and preparing for seasonal demand, homeowners can take pressure off their system without sacrificing comfort. These small steps all lead to a longer-lasting, better-performing water heater. No guessing, no stressful breakdowns—just consistent hot water when you need it. Working with professionals who know the signs and solutions makes that peace of mind possible.
Every home is different, but the common thread is this: the earlier you act, the fewer problems you’ll have down the line. When you keep your water heater running efficiently now, you’ll avoid bigger headaches throughout the year.
If your water heater is not performing as it should, Comfort Air Control can help you address these issues professionally. Learn more about water heater replacement in Deerfield to ensure reliable hot water throughout your home. For a quick estimate or to book a service visit, please contact us today.
