I need to drain my hot water heater. I have a long hose, What’s firs

Here's an article and a video that shows how it's done. He make it look pretty easy. :)

https://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/how-to-drain-a-water-heater/

HTH

the first step is to find where the water enters the heater. Then make sure the heater element is off. Let it cool. There should be a tap low on the unit to drain the water out.

When I had a new heater put in about 7 yrs. ago the plumber said we don't have to drain them like the old ones.

Linda's link is good and it is easy, just let the tank cool first if you intend on using for your flowerbeds or lawn.

Only reason to drain a water heater when replacing is to lighten the load. Forty or more gallons of water is heavy plus the weight of the heater itself. Draining one gallon of water at least three to four times a year to an existing heater will prevent sediment buildup that can shorten a heaters life. Instant on demand heaters do not need to be drained.

Well, if you have hard water, you should probably flush it out. You don't say if you're draining is for some reason or just flushing it. If it's just to prevent a sediment build-up just hook up your hose and run out 20 gallons of water or so. If you need to drain it you have to shut off the intake and siphon the water out. Easy if you're at ground level. A little harder if it's in the basement. My husband has sometimes just drained it to the lowest spot and pumped it out. Not bad if you have a sump pump. A little harder for us because someone in the past plugged the basement drain.