Although many manufacturers set their water heater thermostats at 140°F, most typical homes are comfortable with 120°F. Try to take a shower after making the adjustment; it is unlikely that you will notice a substantial difference in temperature.
Insulating the storage tank (whether electric, natural gas, or oil) helps reduce heat loss and prevents the unit from turning on as often. Be careful to follow the manufacturer's recommendations which include not covering the heater thermostat, burner, and top and bottom.
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.
While this may seem like an obvious tip, using cold water for most laundry loads (especially during the rinse cycle) and for basic cleaning (brushing teeth, washing hands, etc.) will help reduce your laundry load considerably. invoice.
A leaky faucet may seem like a minor annoyance, but it can be wasting water and money in no time. Fix any leaking faucets immediately (be sure to check outside faucets as well). Did you know that 10% of homes have plumbing leaks that waste more than 90 gallons per day?
It is good practice to drain the water heater approximately every year. Draining the tank helps remove sediment that can prevent heat transfer and ultimately reduce the efficiency of the unit. While this is a relatively simple procedure, always be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.
A traditional hot water heater is always running, which is a waste of electricity. Installing a timer to turn off the stove at night is a great way to save energy and could add years to the life of the unit. Call your local plumber for more information on water heater timers.
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. This will prevent fire hazards and help conserve heat so your system doesn't have to work as hard to heat it up.
If your dishwasher or washing machine is more than 10 years old, you might 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.
It is a good idea to replace your water heater if it is more than 10 years old. An old water heater is not only inefficient, it could also cause irreparable damage if it leaks or bursts.
If any of these 10 Tips occur, contact a professional water heater technician. Trying to manage repairs yourself can incur unnecessary costs if something goes wrong.