How To Improve Hot Water Heater Efficiency?
The water heater is one of the most used home appliances. Whether you are washing hands, doing laundry, taking a shower, or washing dishes, your water heater is at work. When working so much, they indeed consume a lot of energy. Water heaters account for approximately twenty percent of your energy bills. So, if you want to lower your energy bills (everyone wants it anyways), your water heater is one of the best places to look for improvements.
Here is a round-up of a few actions and tips that you can follow to keep your water heater efficient, keeping your energy bills low.
Lower The Thermostat
Although most manufacturers’ guides ask to set the thermostat at 600C or 1400F, most households are comfortable with the temperature set at 480C. If you think this will not work for you, try taking a shower after you make the thermostat adjustments, it’s very unlikely to feel any difference in water temperature. However, this small change in the thermostat setting can lower your energy bills significantly.
Moreover, this slight decrease in temperature reduces scalding and slows down mineral build-up and corrosion in pipes and water heaters.
Insulate Tank
Whether electric, natural gas, or oil-powered, insulating the water storage tank can help reduce heat loss and prevent the unit from turning on frequently. However, don’t overdo it while insulating, and make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Most manufacturers advise not to cover the thermostat, burner, the top, and the bottom. Call experienced water heater maintenance and repairs service providers in Edmonton and get your water heater insulated.
Install Heat Traps
Installing heat traps allows the cold water to inflow in the tanks but does not let the hot water and other unwanted convection flow out of the tank.
Most modern water heaters have heat traps built-in in the system. But if your water heater is more than ten years old (in good condition), installing heat traps is a viable option to increase the efficiency of your water heater. Ask your water heater repairer to install the heat traps for you.
Use Less Hot Water
This is a very obvious technique, but it can make a huge difference in your energy bills. Try using cold water for most of the laundry loads, especially the rinsing cycle. Other activities to avoid unnecessary hot water are simple brooming activities, brushing teeth, washing hands, and other small cleaning tasks.
Repair Leaky Faucets
A leaking faucet may seem like a small issue, but it wastes water and money at a great pace. Therefore, repair or replace the leaking faucets without any delay, make sure to check the outdoor or out of the sight faucets as well. Small plumbing leaks can waste 90 gallons of water a day, which means you are paying for an extra 90 gallons a day (not healthy for your finances).
Drain The Tank
It is advisable and better to drain your water tank at least once a year. Draining the tank helps you clear out all the sediments that can impede heat transfer. This hindrance in heat transfer lowers the water heater’s efficiency, making it work harder for the job. Draining a tank is not a complicated job but still, make sure that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If you are in doubt about the process, call a professional water heater maintenance company and get it done.
Check Out: TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR WATER HEATERS EFFICIENCY
Install A Timer
Traditional and old water heaters are turned on 24/7; even when the water is not used, all the energy is wasted in reheating the unused water. It is totally a waste of electricity or the other powering agents like gas or oil. Installing a timer to switch off the water heater at night or when no one is in the house is a great way to save up on your energy bills. Moreover, doing this can add years to the life of your system and make it efficient.
Insulate Pipes
In addition to insulating the water heater tank itself, consider adding an insulator to the first six feet of both the cold and hot pipe attached to the system. This will prevent any fire hazards and also prevent heat loss, and make your system work less hard by not needing to reheat the water again and again.
Replace Old Appliances
If your dishwasher or washing machine or any such appliance is older than ten years, then consider replacing it with a new and more energy-efficient model. The new technologies in the market are much more efficient and use less water than what was available a decade ago.
Conclusion
The efficiency of the water tank is not something that can be enhanced only within the system. Insulating, repairing, and maintaining the related appliances and changing your water utility all work hand in hand for it. Your collective actions will help you save your hard-earned money and add years to the lifespan of your water tank.
