| Water heaters are an extremely critical part of an | | | | valve is malfunctioning. |
| apartment building's operation. The average life span | | | | An entire apartment complex that shares one water |
| of commercial water heaters is between four and | | | | heater will all be greatly affected if mixing is present. |
| eight years, depending on the water quality, location, | | | | The apartment furthest away from it will experience |
| and its environment. Most owners often overlook | | | | the worst symptoms: a lack of hot water, or, if |
| them until they need repair. Luckily, most general | | | | they're lucky, lukewarm water. By having them |
| maintenance problems have easy solutions that can | | | | serviced annually, problems such as mixing can be |
| ensure lower cost and improve longevity. | | | | diagnosed and repaired early. This can prevent |
| The most common problems are caused by improper | | | | expensive repair costs later if they are missed. |
| air circulation and negligence. Developing awareness | | | | Mineral Deposits |
| about your particular water heater is the biggest aid | | | | Water quality can affect the corrosion of anode rods. |
| in avoiding problems. Mixing/crossover in the water | | | | These are the devices intended to protect the glass |
| system is often confused as a problem and will be | | | | lining from corrosion. The calcium present in hard |
| discussed below. | | | | water settles at the bottom of the tank, and |
| Get to Know the Forgotten Appliance | | | | decreases the life of the water heater. It acts as an |
| The sheer size of a commercial water heater can be | | | | insulator, impedes the heating process, and can cause |
| somewhat intimidating, and many owners are | | | | premature heating element failures due to overuse. If |
| reluctant to familiarize themselves with the appliance. | | | | calcium buildup occurs, the costs to heat the water |
| Because there are many different types on the | | | | will rise significantly as the unit's efficiency plummets. |
| market, knowledge is power. It is important to know | | | | Water softening is a process which substitutes |
| which type of water heater is installed. These include: | | | | sodium ions for magnesium and calcium that causes |
| standing pilot, an electronic ignition, boiler and storage | | | | serious deterioration to the anode rods. |
| tanks, High Efficiency heaters with a hot surface | | | | Location, Location, Location |
| ignition, and tankless water heaters. | | | | The environment and location of the water heater |
| Managers should know the location, its model and | | | | can also affect its efficiency. Water heaters require |
| serial number, if it is gas or electric, how to reset it, | | | | lots of clean air to burn and vent, so air infused with |
| and the contact information of a technician should | | | | foreign compounds can lead to premature failure. |
| the it experiences a serious problem. Gas water | | | | Flammable items and vapors from bleaches, soaps, |
| heaters require oxygen, fuel (natural gas or propane), | | | | salts, cleaners, paint, or gas that contaminate the |
| a source of ignition -- such as a pilot or spark | | | | surrounding air, and should not be stored next to it. |
| (electronic ignition) -- and water. | | | | If stored in or near a laundry room, there is |
| Without fresh air, the flame cannot survive and the | | | | considerable danger of damage from soot caused by |
| water will not heat properly. Air starvation can cause | | | | lint runoff from dryers and even carbon monoxide. |
| the flame or pilot to extinguish; soot to collect in the | | | | Lint can clog orifices, catch on fire, block fresh air |
| system, and the build up of dangerous carbon | | | | vents to the water heater closet, and make a water |
| monoxide gas. So, making sure it has access to | | | | heater operate at minimal capacity. |
| ample air and open spaces is a simple way to avoid | | | | Finally, the weather can also affect function. Be sure |
| the premature failures. | | | | the appliance is properly covered to prevent weather |
| Warm Water | | | | damage if installed outdoors. Weather that cannot be |
| When using showers or sinks, if the water does not | | | | avoided, such as rain, wind, or salty ocean air can |
| get hot in a timely manner, it may be time to | | | | cause nuisance service calls, so try to protect it from |
| investigate the function of the water heater and the | | | | the weather as much as possible. |
| water system itself. As previously mentioned, mixing | | | | Most problems can summed up in three words: "lack |
| or crossover is a problem caused by the mixing of | | | | of maintenance." Develop or contract a Preventative |
| cold and hot water. This leads to lukewarm water all | | | | Maintenance Program, and watch your expenses |
| around the complex. Single-handled showers or | | | | disappear until it's time for a replacement for a more |
| faucets are often the culprits. Additionally, the | | | | efficient unit. |
| recirculation line can cause this problem if the check | | | | |