Most of us in property management in Natick remember to flush our hot water tanks in our water heaters twice per year, checking the anode rod and other aspects. But all property owners could use a reminder to also change the air filter! This is usually a black mesh ring encircling the bottom of a water heater. This air filter helps keep dust and other grime from getting into the heater’s heating system. Dust builds up on this filter, and this reduces the air flow to the heater, making the whole water heater unit inefficient. A water heater requires air to ‘breathe’. Clean the filter each time you flush the tank. Cleaning a filter only takes a few minutes and requires no special tools. Follow these steps:
Turn Off Gas/Pilot Light
You do not want any dust flowing up into your heater while you are cleaning, so shut off the gas flow first. Besides, it’s a generally known safety step.
Remove Filter
The filter is kept in place with a simple catching mechanism. Find the catch mechanism, undo it, and remove the filter from the base of the water heater.
Clean
To clean the filter, use compressed air to blow away the excess dust. Or, if you don’t have an air compressor, then spread the filter on the ground, and spray it with water until the dust is removed.
Dry
If you use water to clean your filter, hang it out to dry, or wipe it down with a cloth.
Put Filter Back in Place
Once the filter is completely dry, replace it underneath your water heater by stretching it around the bottom, and securing it with the grasp mechanism. Check on all sides to ensure that your filter is sitting properly and doesn’t have any gaps that would allow dust through.
Your time is valuable. Contact Real Property Management Metro Boston to handle your maintenance needs.
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