Maintaining Andrews Commercial Water Heaters for Optimal Performance
In any commercial or industrial setting, maintaining your equipment is key to ensuring long-term reliability, safety, and efficiency. This is especially true when it comes to your water heating system. A properly maintained system reduces energy waste, minimises downtime, and avoids costly repairs. Andrews water heaters are well known for their durability and performance, but like all systems, they benefit greatly from consistent care. In this guide, we’ll explore practical water heater maintenance strategies and industrial heater performance tips to help your Andrews unit operate at its best.
Why Maintenance Matters
Andrews commercial water heaters are designed to perform in tough environments with high hot water demand. That said, their performance is only as strong as the maintenance routines in place. Regular maintenance ensures optimal burner operation, maintains high thermal efficiency and prevents sediment or scale buildup.
Poor maintenance can lead to:
- Inconsistent hot water delivery
- Reduced energy efficiency
- Equipment failure
- Safety risks such as overheating or pressure problems
Having a well-defined maintenance routine is a cost-effective way to keep your system operating smoothly and extend its service life.
Enhanced operational stability
Water heating systems that are properly maintained also ensure smoother daily operations. For facilities such as hotels or leisure centres where hot water availability affects customer satisfaction, this can make all the difference.
Routine Maintenance Checklist
To keep your Andrews water heater performing efficiently, here’s a breakdown of essential maintenance tasks:
1. Inspect for Leaks and Corrosion
Check all fittings, joints, and tanks for signs of water leaks, corrosion, or rust. Early detection helps prevent major failures and water damage. Ensure the area around the heater remains dry and ventilated.
2. Flush the System Regularly
Mineral deposits, particularly in areas with hard water, can reduce heat transfer efficiency. Flushing the tank removes this sediment and maintains optimal thermal performance. Depending on usage and water hardness, flushing may be required every six months.
3. Test Safety Valves and Controls
The temperature and pressure relief valve (TPR valve) is a crucial safety component. Test it periodically to ensure it operates correctly. Also, verify temperature settings and check control panels for error codes or alerts.
4. Clean and Check Burners (Gas Models)
Gas-fired Andrews models should have their burners inspected and cleaned at least once a year. Dirty burners affect combustion efficiency and can increase fuel costs.
5. Examine Flue and Venting Systems
Ensure the flue system is clear and intact. Obstructions can cause dangerous gases like carbon monoxide to build up. Make sure all ventilation meets safety regulations and manufacturer guidance.
6. Inspect Sensors and Electrical Components
Faulty sensors can result in false alarms or incorrect operation. During maintenance, check temperature sensors, ignition modules, and wiring connections to ensure stable operation.
Long-Term Industrial Heater Performance Tips
Maintaining high performance goes beyond basic cleaning. Here are some expert tips to enhance your water heater’s operation over the long haul:
Integrate Smart Controls
Modern Andrews systems often support BMS (Building Management Systems). Connecting your heater to a smart control platform enables better energy monitoring, system diagnostics, and scheduling. This reduces unnecessary run-time and alerts you to potential issues early.
Use High-Quality Ancillary Equipment
Pairing your water heater with reliable components such as expansion vessels, pressurisation units, and commercial circulators helps protect your system from pressure surges, maintain flow, and ensure optimal performance.
Schedule Professional Servicing Annually
While in-house checks are important, scheduling a yearly professional service through a trusted supplier like National Pumps and Boilers ensures comprehensive system evaluation and adjustment. Their engineers are familiar with Andrews systems and can identify problems before they become major faults.
Keep Detailed Maintenance Logs
Document all inspections, cleanings, and service work. This helps identify recurring issues and demonstrates compliance with safety and insurance requirements. Logs are particularly valuable for facilities managers overseeing multiple systems across different locations.
Establish Maintenance Rotations
For businesses with multiple water heaters installed across several areas, rotating maintenance schedules help spread servicing evenly across the calendar year. This minimises disruptions and avoids overloading maintenance teams.
Common Signs Your System Needs Attention
Even with regular checks, issues can arise. Here are some warning signs that your Andrews system may require maintenance:
- Inconsistent hot water or slow recovery time
- Increased energy bills
- Strange noises from the tank or pipework
- Water discolouration or unpleasant odours
- Visible limescale on fittings or heating elements
Addressing these early can prevent downtime and protect your investment.
Monitoring for subtle changes
Subtle changes in performance, such as slight temperature fluctuations or increased cycling frequency, often indicate underlying inefficiencies. Using monitoring tools and routine inspections can help identify these issues before they impact your operations.
Protecting Your Investment with the Right Components
Maximising system performance is not just about the heater. Supporting components play a critical role in longevity and efficiency. Consider integrating:
- Pump valves: Control flow and support system balance
- DHW pumps: Maintain consistent hot water circulation
- Expansion vessels: Protect against pressure changes
Each of these enhances system performance and works seamlessly with Andrews units.
Future-proofing your system
By selecting high-quality ancillary components, you also prepare your system for potential future upgrades. For instance, integrating advanced circulation or pressure control solutions makes scaling your system simpler and more efficient.
Work with a Reliable Supplier
Effective maintenance also depends on having the right support network. By partnering with National Pumps and Boilers, you gain access to spare parts, expert advice, and ongoing service options tailored to Andrews systems. Whether you’re managing a single site or a national portfolio, they offer fast, dependable support when you need it most.
National Pumps and Boilers can also assist with selecting replacement models, scheduling routine servicing, and advising on compliance requirements, making them a key partner in long-term system performance.
Training Your Onsite Team
Providing basic training to onsite maintenance staff ensures routine tasks such as leak checks, sensor monitoring, and temperature adjustments are carried out confidently. This reduces dependency on external service providers for everyday checks and helps identify issues sooner.
Consider creating a custom user manual or maintenance checklist that staff can reference for visual inspections and reporting.
Final Thoughts
Maintaining Andrews commercial water heaters doesn’t need to be complicated, but it does require consistency and awareness. With a structured maintenance plan and support from experienced professionals, you’ll ensure that your system continues to perform reliably, efficiently, and safely.
By integrating smart water heater maintenance habits and following industrial heater performance tips, your Andrews water heater will serve your building's needs for years to come. To learn more about compatible products and maintenance support, explore Andrews Water Heaters or reach out to National Pumps and Boilers today.