As a new homeowner, you may still be familiarizing yourself with the equipment and appliances in your home. There is a bit of a learning curve, but once you know the basics, items like your water heater, furnace, and air conditioner are not so tough to maintain and care for. But what things should you know about your water heater as a new homeowner? Take a look.

You can and should adjust the temperature setting

Water heaters have a thermostat, and you can adjust the temperature at which your water heater keeps your water. If your water is scalding you coming out of the tap, turn the temperature down. If the water is barely warm enough, turn the temperature up. You can often save money on energy by turning your water heater temperature down. Setting it to 120 F is a common recommendation and offers a good balance between comfort and energy savings. 

You should drain the tank every so often

Every few months, or even just once a year, it is a good idea to drain some water out of the bottom of your hot water tank. This removes any sediment that has settled to the bottom of the tank. Doing so improves the efficiency of your water heater and will also help it last longer. Most water heaters have a tap at the bottom. You simply connect a hose to the tap, open the valve, and let water drain into a sink or drain for a few minutes. Once the water runs clear, you can stop draining.

Water heaters do sometimes leak

When a leak develops, it is often a sign that your water heater needs to be replaced. But some minor leaks, such as those that occur around valves, can be repaired by a plumber. Keep an eye on your water tank, and do a quick check for leaks whenever you're near it. Look on the floor, around each of the valves, and also on the top of the tank where the cold water line feeds into it. 

If you see a leak, turn off the water supply to the water heater. (You do this by turning the big valve on the top of the tank.) Then, call a repair contractor. Little leaks tend to get bigger quickly if not addressed immediately.

Now that you know these things, you should have an easier time maintaining and caring for your water heater.

Reach out to a company like Quality Plumbing to learn more.