Tips to Increase the Efficiency and Lifespan of Your Water Heater

Conventional water heaters are among the most energy hungry appliances in the average home, behind only air conditioners and furnaces in energy consumption. Thankfully, there are a few simple things you can do to tame your water heater’s energy usage, while also extending its lifespan.

1. Reduce hot water usage. The main source of hot water waste in most homes is in showers and washing machines. The minimum flow rate on a shower head sold today should be no more than 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm). Many conserving shower heads reduce flow to as little as 1.6 gpm, while also maintaining acceptable water pressure. By adding low-flow shower heads the water savings for a household of four could be as much as 14,000 gallons a year along with greatly reduced energy required to heat the water. To save hot water in the laundry room, look for laundry detergents that at formulated to work in cold water.

2. Insulate hot water plumbing supply. Even in a small home, as much as 10 percent of the energy used to heat water can be wasted simply by heat escaping pipes that supply the hot water. Metal pipes are a great conductor of heat, insulating hot water pipes with foam pipe covering is an inexpensive way retain the heat.

3. Use a water heater blanket. Most new water heaters have enough insulation built into the tank wall, older tanks may allow excess heat to escape. The larger the water heater, the more surface area to allow heat to escape.

Reduce heat loss by wrapping your water heater tank in an insulation blanket available from most home supply stores. Some manufacturers recommend against installing insulating blankets on their energy-efficient models, so be sure to read your owner’s manual before adding a blanket.

4. Water heater maintenance. Over time storage tank water heaters will accumulate sediment that will gradually reduce heating efficiency. Flushing the tank at least once a year will remove the sediment and make it easier for the burner to heat the water.

Have questions about your water heater? Call M/R Plumbing, we can help.