4 Tips to Lower Energy Bills from Your Water Heater

Hot water faucet

Posting Date: July 15, 2016
Posted by: Larry Herd, Regional Manager

Did you know that your water heater guzzles more energy than any other home appliance other than your furnace or air conditioner?

It’s true – about one-fifth of the energy used in your home every year goes to heating water for your showers, dishwasher, washing machine, and faucets.

If you want to keep your water heating bills as low as possible, there are four ways to do it:

1. Use less hot water – Try to reduce how often – and for how long – you use hot water appliances. Gallons can add up quickly – here are some average hot water per use figures for common appliances:

  • Clothes washer – 25 gallons
  • Shower – 10 gallons
  • Dishwasher – 6 gallons
  • Kitchen / bathroom faucet (2 gallons / minute)

Other tips include installing low-flow faucets and showerheads, taking advantage of low-water use modes on appliances, and repairing leaky faucets quickly – gallons of water can go to waste in just a few minutes.

2. Adjust the thermostat on your water heater – Water heaters come with a pre-set temperature that’s often higher that what you’ll need. Set your water heater’s thermostat to a comfortable 120°F for most uses.

3. Insulate your water heater – Insulate the hot-water storage tank on your electric water heater, but be careful not to cover the thermostat. For natural gas water heaters with storage tanks, be careful not to cover the water heater’s top, bottom, thermostat, or burner compartment. For more information, follow manufacturer’s instructions or contact us. You should also Insulate the first 6 feet of the hot and cold water pipes connected to the water heater.

4. Consider a new, more efficient water heater – Consider a new water heater if it’s more than seven years old. A new energy-efficient water heater will pay for itself in a couple of years. Also consider natural gas tankless water heaters, which heat water directly without using a storage tank. You can save up to 30 percent with a tankless model compared with a standard natural gas storage tank water heater.

Considering a new high-efficiency water heater? Contact Broward today for a FREE ESTIMATE!