Once you have gotten past the question about whether you should have regular water heater maintenance done, the next question is usually when to do it and how often. If you haven't had it done in a while, now is the best time. Since it should be done annually, if it has been longer than that, it doesn't matter which time of the year is ideal. Getting started sooner rather than later is important.

With that said, let's move on to the best time of the year. You already know that it is best to have your furnace serviced in the fall and the air conditioning in the spring, so you can have each of these performing properly before you need them. However, since you use your water heater 365 days a year, you might not think there is a time that is better.

The reality is that your water heater does its heaviest duty in the winter, so having water heater maintenance done in the fall when you have your furnace checked is an ideal time. It must work harder in the winter for three reasons. The first is that the water coming into it is colder, so it takes more energy to get the water hot. The second is that your water heater is usually located in an area that is not directly heated, so it can be colder in the winter. The third is that when the weather is nipping, your family members are more likely to take longer and hotter showers. They are also more likely to take extra showers, as the warming effect is appreciated after being outside on a cold day.

Here at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Southern Pines, we are more than happy to provide your water heater maintenance any time of the year. While the fall may be a great time to do so, the rest of the year isn't a wrong time. We are also here if you experience a water heater problem or would like to know more about an upgraded replacement water heater. Call today for any of your home's plumbing system needs.