Ariston Water Heater: Beginners Question

[meridius]

I am really a beginner at plumbing issues with no knowledge of technical terms and just have a basic question.

I have suspected low water pressure in the kitchen of our flat in a building for the last few months or at least that there did not seem to be enough hot water in our Ariston Electric Water Heater (after heating had completed and the light switched off). The water heater was bought in December 2019.

I have now completely opened the cold water tap (if this is the correct technical term for it - see picture highlighted in red - (SEE ATTACHED PHOTOS) on the cold pipe running to the water heater. Unless I am imagining things I did not think it was completely open but it is now. Is it a correct procedure to keep this tap completely open?

I am also wondering if this tap should also eventually be replaced as it looks old . On a general knowledge question I do not understand what purpose it serves at all in this particular water pipe setup.

Also on a separate issue the warranty says "The magnesium anode is not covered by the warranty and must be changed every 12 months". Is this really necessary?

Many thanks for any advice.

 

[arctic bill]

No wonder you have poor water pressure, the water pipe are galvanized and are probably corrode inside and speed way are under sized , I would repipe to a proper size the whole thing and replace all the valves .

 

[meridius]

Thanks for letting me know. By "speed way" I guess you mean the silver coloured pipes leading to the electric water heater...

Next challenge will be to find someone reliable to do it. Maybe I will ask Ariston as well because it is their machine.