How to Clean an Electric Water Heater?

During the cold winter months, electric water heaters become an indispensable part of daily life. However, over time, scale buildup inside the water heater can affect the water quality, damage the water heater element, reduce heating efficiency, and even create safety hazards. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the cleaning methods and precautions for electric water heaters, especially regarding the maintenance of the immersion water heater element.

What Are the Hazards of Scale Buildup?

Scale formation primarily occurs due to the chemical reaction of calcium and magnesium ions in the water at high temperatures, forming insoluble precipitates. These deposits accumulate on the surface of heating rods, inner tanks, and other water heater elements, creating a hard scale layer that severely affects heat exchange efficiency. This can lead to overheating of commercial water heater elements, increased energy consumption, and even damage to the water heater.

Damage to Water Heater Elements: Scale has poor thermal conductivity, hindering heat transfer and causing localized overheating of heating rods and other water heater elements, making them prone to burnout or perforation.
Reduced Heating Efficiency: Scale that adheres to the surface of the immersion water heater element increases heating time, raises energy consumption, and reduces the water temperature.
Health Risks: Scale may harbor bacteria, and long-term use of impure hot water for bathing may cause skin irritation, allergies, and other issues.

Deep Cleaning: Professional Service Recommended

It is advisable to have the electric water heater thoroughly cleaned by a professional every 2-3 years. Professional cleaning not only removes scale effectively but also checks whether the commercial water heater elements are damaged or corroded, preventing future malfunctions. During deep cleaning, the technician will open the water heater's casing, remove scale buildup from the heating rods and inner tank, and inspect key water heater elements like magnesium rods to see if they need replacement.

Reminder: Always choose a reputable appliance cleaning service to avoid overcharging or improper cleaning, which could damage commercial water heater elements.

DIY Cleaning: Light Maintenance

For relatively new water heaters or those with minimal scale buildup, you can perform a light self-cleaning every six months. The steps are as follows:

Step 1: Turn off the power and ensure the water heater is disconnected to ensure safety during cleaning.
Step 2: Close the water inlet and outlet valves, and drain the remaining water. This is the time to check if there is a large amount of sediment in the drainage water.
Step 3: Use a hose to flush clean water through the hot water outlet to remove any accumulated scale and impurities.
Step 4: Reassemble the components, turn on the water supply, and verify that the immersion water heater element is working properly without any leaks.

Practical Tips for Preventing Scale Build-Up

Regularly Replace the Magnesium Rod: The magnesium rod serves as a sacrificial anode, effectively preventing corrosion of commercial water heater elements. Over time, the magnesium rod will deplete and should be replaced approximately every 2 years to extend the lifespan of the water heater elements.
Install a Water Filtration Device: Installing a water filter at the inlet can effectively remove impurities and minerals from the water, reducing scale formation from the source and protecting the water heater elements from damage.
Set the Water Temperature Reasonably: The higher the water temperature, the faster the scale builds up. It is recommended to set the heating temperature between 50°C and 60°C, which is energy-efficient and helps delay scale formation, thus protecting water heater elements.
Flush Out Hot Water After Use: After each use, allow cold water to flow into the water heater for a few seconds to flush out any residual hot water. This reduces the duration of high-temperature standing time and helps prevent scale from adhering to the water heater elements.

The safety and durability of an electric water heater depend not only on the brand and model but also on proper daily maintenance and cleaning. Special attention and care for core water heater elements like heating rods, inner tanks, and magnesium rods are crucial for ensuring the water heater's lifespan and safety. Regular cleaning and correct usage are key to maintaining efficient operation. We hope this article helps you better care for the water heater elements in your home, allowing you to enjoy warm water during the cold winter months with peace of mind.