As winter quickly approaches, so does the importance of having a working hot water heater. Winter tends to bring freezing temperatures, snow, and ice, so it’s crucial to make sure that your hot water heater is able to provide you with the warmth you need.

If you are worried that your hot water heater or another HVAC appliance may act up around the time of the first snowfall, there are some things you should know about maintaining the units.

Since there’s a chance that your heating appliances haven’t been used since the previous winter, that means that they’ve been sitting cold for more than a couple of months. To make sure that all appliances are still in good condition at the time of necessary use, reach out to HVAC services to have them check out your system before firing it up. They will check the burners and replace the filters on furnaces and hot water heaters as necessary. Everything will be given the OK before you are allowed to use the system, which will help you to avoid emergency furnace repair in the dead of winter.

It’s also important to check your water heater’s pressure valve. Both gas and electric heaters come equipped with this safety device. The pressure valve will open and release any pressure if the hot water tank becomes over pressurized. To ensure that your pressure valves are constantly working and in good condition, they should be checked every six months. Checking right before use is also a good plan of action. Heating water accounts for almost 30% of the average homeowner’s monthly budget, so it’s important to make sure that everything is up and working so you don’t find yourself getting overcharged.

Finally, many homeowners have chosen to install a tankless water heater in their homes. If this is the case with your home, you need to make sure that you flush the water heater every six months to two years to get rid of the water impurities that have built up. Even though the tankless water heater can last up to 20 years, it’s important to make sure that they are constantly being maintained for proper upkeep.

Working hot water heaters are a crucial part of preparing for the winter. To avoid having to call in a technician for an emergency furnace repair, make sure all of the pieces are maintained and get everything inspected before the winter even arrives.