Why Your Water Heater Works Harder When North Texas Temperatures Drop

According to NWS Fort Worth Chief Meteorologist Tom Bradshaw, the weather pattern dubbed El Niño will likely bring a colder, wetter 2026-2027 winter in North Texas. So, as the chilly season looms, it makes sense to consider how your water heater works and how to keep it running smoothly. 

In this post, we’ll share:

• Reasons why water heaters need to work harder in the winter
• What you should do to protect your system
• Signs that your water heater may be ready to fail
• Services Moss provides for water heater maintenance in Highland Park, TX

If you’re ready to book a maintenance appointment, you can call our expert team at 972-616-4894.

Reasons Why Water Heaters Work Harder

First, when groundwater interacts with snow, the water’s temperature drops. This, in turn, makes water heaters work harder to warm it up. This may be a minor factor during many Highland Park winters, given that average snowfall is only about 1.6 inches annually. But even though El Niño predicts a warmer winter, Arctic cold snaps are always a possibility in North Texas winters. So, preparing for a freeze remains important. 

As colder water enters the water heater system, the equipment needs more energy to heat it. 

If you have any leaky pipes or pipes with substandard insulation, they’ll cool down. This means your water heater has to heat and reheat lukewarm water repeatedly, wasting even more energy. Moss Heating, Cooling & Plumbing offers prompt leak detection and repair services in Dallas County and throughout North Texas. 

Plus, people often stay indoors more in winter and take longer showers. When family members stay home more in winter, they also flush toilets more often. Doing laundry also uses more water and energy to wash heavy coats and thick blankets than it does for shorts and T-shirts. 

Protecting Your Home’s Water Heating System

In a worst-case scenario, a poorly maintained water tank can crack. Trapped moisture accelerates sediment buildup, reducing your system’s efficiency and shortening the tank’s lifespan. 

So, as winter approaches, it’s a good time to completely drain your water heater. Flushing it out each year removes sediment buildup and can help prevent any freeze damage when temperatures plunge. 

Do so safely by turning off the gas or electricity and the main water supply. If you have questions about staying safe during this process, feel free to reach out to our experts. Then open the pressure relief valve, attach a hose, and keep flushing out the unit until the water runs clear. 

Another strategy for water heater maintenance in Highland Park, TX, is to insulate the tank and exposed pipes with foam or insulating blankets. This reduces heat loss and helps your system work more efficiently.

Also, set your water heater temperature to the amount recommended by your manufacturer. 

So, what if you have a tankless water heater? Make sure your tankless water heater has freeze protection and a power plan for outages.

Remember to Check Anode Rods

An anode rod is a small but important component of your water heating system. This metal rod attracts corrosion so the inside of your tank doesn’t rust. (That’s why it’s sometimes called a sacrifice rod.) When the anode wears down, this part can no longer protect the tank, allowing rust to form inside. 

Signs that anode rods are failing include the following:

• Water from hot faucets looks rusty
• Rust forms at the top of your water tank
• Water is cloudy or has a metallic “off” smell

If you notice any of these signs, your system likely needs a new anode rod. 

Warning Signs of Failing Hot Water Heaters

Leaks signal problems, so inspect the area around your tank. Do you spot any water puddles? Even a small pool of water can suggest a loose connection, a valve failure, or another problem. Mold and mildew can also grow because of these leaks, damaging your home and triggering allergies and asthma. 

You don’t always get much notice before a unit fails. Leaking hot water tanks may work well one day and rupture the next. 

If you notice unexplained increases on your water or energy bills, water tank problems may be a possible culprit.

Strange sounds and smells are also warning signs. Water tanks that have to work too hard can generate thumping, popping, and/or grumbling noises. If you notice a rotten egg smell in your water, you likely have bacteria in your tank. Pair that odor with a metallic taste, and you have another warning sign.

Here’s one of the most frustrating signs of all: You’re taking a nice hot shower, but the hot water can’t last long enough and quickly turns lukewarm. This suggests failing components, often the thermostat, and/or sediment issues. 

Or you may experience intermittently hot water that cools down and then returns in bursts. Besides being frustrating, this can burn your skin.

If you notice these signs, or you just know something isn’t right, contact Moss for water heater maintenance in Highland Park, TX. The earlier we inspect the problem, the easier the fix typically is (and the less costly). 

Water System Replacements in Dallas County

All equipment has a lifecycle. If your unit is at least ten years old (or shows some of the signs described above), it may be time to replace your water heater. 

Our team at Moss can inspect your unit and help you make the right choice for your situation. We’ll share the most cost-effective option and what’s best for your long-term needs, without any hard-sell pressure or confusing jargon. 

Options with Moss include:

• Traditional water heater replacements: Whether you need gas or electric water heating, we install the unit following best practices and safety standards. We can also install an expansion tank to manage pressure spikes.  

• Tankless water heater: This design provides an endless hot water supply in a space-saving way. This choice can be called an on-demand water heater. Moss experts will share installation details, including gas lines and venting. 

Choose Moss for Your Water Heating Solutions

When you contact our heating, cooling, and plumbing company, we’ll listen carefully to your needs and concerns, inspect your home, and make optimal recommendations for your Dallas County home, installing brands known for long-term reliability. 

We know comfort needs come when they do, and that isn’t always the perfect time financially. To help, we offer flexible financing options. That way, you can receive the services you need without the hassle or stress, whether it’s a repair or a full system replacement. 

Provided by Wells Fargo Bank, the credit card offers a revolving line of credit with convenient monthly payments. Online account management is easy to navigate. 

Moss believes your home should be where you feel most comfortable, and our goal is to help keep it that way. 

Book your appointment by calling us at 972-616-4894.