10 Water Heater Tips: How to Save Money and Energy

Lower The Thermostat

Although many manufacturers set their water heater thermostats at 140°F, most typical homes are comfortable with 120°F. After making the change, try taking a shower; it's unlikely that you'll feel much of a difference in temperature.

Insulation Tank

Insulating the storage tank helps reduce heat loss and prevents the unit from turning on as often. Carefully heed the manufacturer's instructions, which stipulate that the heater's thermostat, burner, and top and bottom should not be covered.

Install Heat Traps

Heat traps allow cold water to flow into the tank, but prevent hot water and unwanted convection from flowing out of the unit. Most modern water heaters are designed with built-in heat traps. But if your unit is over 10 years old, installing a heat trap is a viable option.

Use Cold Water

Even though it might seem like a no-brainer, using cold water for the majority of your laundry loads—especially during the rinse cycle—and for everyday cleaning tasks like brushing your teeth and washing your hands will significantly lessen the amount of laundry you have to do.

Repair of Leaking Faucets

Even while a leaky faucet may initially seem like a small irritation, it can quickly start to waste water and money. Fix any leaky faucets right away (be sure to check outside faucets as well). Did you know that 10% of homes have pipe leaks that waste more than 90 gallons per day.

Empty The Tank

Draining the water heater on average once a year is a good idea. By draining the tank, sediment that could obstruct heat transfer and lower the unit's effectiveness is removed. Even though it's a very straightforward process, make sure to always abide by the manufacturer's directions.

Install a Timer

Traditional hot water heaters waste electricity because they run continuously. The stove's lifespan may be extended by several years by installing a timer to turn it off at night. For more information about water heater timers, contact your neighbourhood plumber.

Insulate Pipes

In addition to insulating the tank itself, consider adding insulation to the first 6 feet of hot and cold water lines connected to the unit. By doing this, fire threats will be reduced and heat will be more efficiently conserved, requiring less effort from your heating system.

Replacing Old Appliances

If your dishwasher or washing machine is more than 10 years old, you may want to consider replacing it with a newer, more energy-efficient model. There are many new designs on the market (including ENERGY STAR® models) that use less water and are much more efficient than they were on the market even a decade ago.

Consider Buying a New Water Heater

If your water heater is more than ten years old, it is a good idea to replace it. An old water heater is not only inefficient, it could also cause irreparable damage if it leaks or bursts.

Find A Trusted HVAC Professional to Keep on Hand

IdesignAC can help you with all of these tips and our technicians are trained to identify dozens of other ways You can increase the energy efficiency of your AC System.