7 Ways to Make Your Hot Water Heater More Energy Efficient
Whether you want to save money on energy bills or live a more environmentally conscious lifestyle, you may be wondering how to make your hot water heater more efficient and use less energy. Water heaters are one of the most energy-intensive items in our contemporary homes. In fact, according to the US Department of Energy, your hot water heater accounts for 18% of your overall power cost.
How to make your hot water heater more energy efficient
Whether you have a gas or electric water heater, you may utilize easy practices and low-cost improvements to reduce energy expenditures and improve the efficiency of your hot water heater.
Turn Down Your Thermostat
Just like you would with your heater in the winter or your air conditioner in the summer, lowering the thermostat on your hot water heater may have a substantial impact on your energy expenditure. The factory setting for a hot water heater is usually between 130 and 140°F. This temperature is significantly too warm for human skin, and small children may accidently scald themselves. The ideal strategy is to decrease your thermostat to the DOE’s suggested temperature of 120°F. You may save 3-5% on your overall water heating expenditures by decreasing the temperature by just 10 degrees! If your thermostat is malfunctioning, or your model does not display temperature, use a thermometer to achieve your desired temperature.
Invest in a tankless water heater
You may have heard the disputes about regular tank versus tankless water heaters. Tankless water heaters are the latest energy-efficient and high-performance versions of traditional water heaters that may offer you with limitless hot water while saving you up to 40% on your energy bills! Tankless water heaters, as opposed to standard water heaters, only run when hot water is used. Traditional water heaters offer hot water by heating it and then keeping it hot, cycling on and off to keep the water in a big reservoir heated for hours at a time even when not in use. Tankless water heaters, on the other hand, switch on when the hot water tap is turned on and off when it is turned off, resulting in significant savings over older-style tank hot water heaters.
Make Sure You’re Using the Right Sized Water Heater
Is your water heater the appropriate size for your household? You may believe that a smaller water heater is better for saving energy, but you would be mistaken. Why? An undersized water heater is overworked. It’s heated too much, which means the burner is constantly running as you’re using the hot water. A continually running hot water heater might result in significant utility expenses! Instead, invest in a bigger water heater that can meet your household’s hot water requirements. If your hot water heater is continually in use, it might be time to update.
Keep an eye on your tank’s sediment
If you live in a region with hard water, you are aware that the minerals in your water may have a substantial influence on your water heater’s efficiency. As the water is heated, these minerals crystallize and settle to the bottom of your hot water heater, forming sediment that affects efficiency and, over time, slows down the heater. Draining your water heater’s tank once or twice a year, according to the manufacturer’s directions, will help maintain it sediment-free and working smoothly.
Insulate your water tanks and pipes
A large quantity of heat (and energy) is wasted via your hot water heater’s tank and pipework. For optimal energy savings, consider insulating your water storage tank and exposed pipes so that heat is not wasted when freshly heated water goes from the water heater to its destination. Insulation blankets are affordable and may have a significant influence on your energy bills! Just make sure not to cover the thermostat in electric tanks or the top, bottom, thermostat, or burner in gas tanks.
Install a voltage timer
A conventional tank water heater is continually working maintaining a tank full of hot water at the required temperature. That is a lot of extra energy expended, especially because one-third of your household is asleep! A simple volt timer may be fitted on an electric water heater to turn off the water overnight, saving energy and money.
Use less hot water
This last one is a no-brainer: just using less hot water will save you money on your water heating bills. Whether you take baths or shorter showers, utilize cold water wash cycles when laundry clothing, or use your dishwasher’s energy-efficient option, using less warm water implies lower power bills!
Have additional questions about making your hot water heater more efficient? We have answers! For a full consultation, contact Lifetime Plumbing online or by phone at (773) 595-1867. We are the hot water heater specialists in Chicago and the surounding areas.
