How to Drain a Propane Water Heater
It is highly recommended that a homeowner drain their propane hot water heater at least one time every year as a maintenance preventive measure. Doing this will not only help to decrease your energy cost, but also increase the life of your water heater.
Steps to Draining a Propane Water Heater
- Turn off the cold water supply to the water heater.
- Turn the temperature setting on the water heater down to the lowest setting. Avoid tampering with the propane supply valve because it needs to remain "on."
- Locate the closest faucet to the hot water tank and turn the hot water supply "on." This should be done to prevent any vacuum build up in the water lines.
- Locate the drain valve on the water heater, which will be located at the front of the unit near the bottom.
- Remove the cap from the drain valve and attach a garden hose or other draining source to the valve. The hose that you use will need to have a hose washer at the end to prevent the water from leaking out.
- Drain the water from the tank by opening the drain valve once the hose has been securely attached.
- Turn back "on" the cold water supply, which will cause the water in the tank to flush out of the garden hose. When the water starts to come out clear all of the old water has been drained out of the tank.
- Shut off the hot water valve and close the drain valve on the heater.
- Allow the tank to refill with water.
- Turn the temperature control to the desired setting once the tank has refilled with water.