Your water is one of the most important appliances in your house. Without it, you would not be able to take those warm, comforting showers on cold winter days. That is why you must make the effort to take proper care of this appliance. Neglecting to maintain your water heater can result in high water bills and costly repairs. Here are four effective ways to care for your water heater:

Use an Insulating Blanket

When the temperatures drop below freezing, your water heater can lose a lot of heat, especially if your home is not insulated well. All that heat loss can result in very expensive energy bills. If you just wrap an insulating blanket around your water heater, it will prevent heat from escaping out of the appliance. This blanket can also extend the life of your water heater.

Flush Out Sediment Buildup

Sediment will accumulate on the bottom of your water tank over time, and it is important to flush it out regularly. If you never remove this sediment, it will corrode the bottom of the tank and force your water heater to work harder than it needs to. After you have turned off your water heater, DIY Network suggests attaching a garden hose to the drain valve. To reduce pressure in your water heater, open up the closest hot water faucet. Then, open up the drain valve so that water can come out. Turn on the cold water supply and power up your water heater.

Get It Inspected Regularly

Even if your water heater is fairly new, you should get it inspected by a trained plumber every year. An experienced plumber will inspect every component of your water heater to make sure it is working properly. For example, he will inspect the burner assembly and check for leaks. If the plumber finds a problem with your water heater, he can fix it before it turns into a bigger issue. Spending the extra money on annual inspections can help you save money on repairs down the road.

Get Rid of Clutter

If there is tons of clutter surrounding your water heater, you are asking for trouble. First of all, clutter can prevent your water heater from getting the oxygen it needs, decreasing its efficiency and damaging its components. If there is too much clutter around your water heater, it can also make it more difficult to spot leaks.

If you follow these helpful tips, you can keep your water heater in excellent shape and extends its life. However, if you ever encounter a problem with your water heater, contact a plumber right away.