Is Your Water Heater Energy Efficient?

As energy costs continue to rise, people are becoming more conscious about the energy they consume and are looking for ways to save on their utility bills. One of the most significant sources of energy consumption in a home is the hot water heater. This is because the hot water heater is in use throughout the day, every day of the year. Therefore, improving the energy efficiency of your hot water heater is a crucial step in reducing your energy bills. In this article, we will provide some tips on how to improve the energy efficiency of your hot water heater.

Use an Energy Star Rated Hot Water Heater
One of the simplest and most effective ways to improve the energy efficiency of your hot water heater is to use an Energy Star rated hot water heater. Energy Star rated hot water heaters are designed to be more energy-efficient than regular hot water heaters. They use less energy to heat the water, which translates into lower energy bills for you. According to Energy Star, using an Energy Star rated hot water heater can save you up to $360 over the lifetime of the unit.

Install a Tankless Water Heater
Tankless water heaters are another energy-efficient option that you can consider. Unlike traditional hot water heaters, tankless water heaters do not store hot water in a tank. Instead, they heat the water as it passes through the unit. This means that they only use energy when hot water is needed, unlike traditional hot water heaters, which continuously use energy to keep the water in the tank hot.

Insulate Your Hot Water Heater Tank
If you have a traditional hot water heater, insulating the tank can help to improve its energy efficiency. When a hot water heater is not insulated, heat is lost through the walls of the tank. This means that the hot water heater needs to use more energy to keep the water in the tank hot. Insulating the tank can help to reduce the amount of heat that is lost and improve the energy efficiency of the unit.

Install Heat Traps
Heat traps are devices that prevent heat from escaping from the hot water heater tank. They are installed at the inlet and outlet connections of the hot water heater tank. Heat traps can reduce heat loss by up to 50%, which can lead to significant energy savings.

Lower the Temperature of the Hot Water
The temperature of the hot water in your home can also have an impact on the energy efficiency of your hot water heater. If the temperature is set too high, the hot water heater will use more energy to keep the water at that temperature. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends that hot water be set to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is hot enough to kill most bacteria, but not so hot that it wastes energy.

Use Low-Flow Showerheads and Faucets
Using low-flow showerheads and faucets can also help to improve the energy efficiency of your hot water heater. Low-flow showerheads and faucets reduce the amount of water that flows through them, which means that less hot water is needed. This can lead to significant energy savings over time.

Drain and Flush the Tank Regularly
Over time, sediment can build up in the hot water heater tank. This sediment can reduce the efficiency of the unit by insulating the tank and reducing the amount of hot water that it can hold. Draining and flushing the tank regularly can help to remove the sediment and improve the efficiency of the unit.
​
In conclusion, improving the energy efficiency of your hot water heater is an essential step in reducing your energy bills. There are many ways to improve the energy efficiency of your hot water heater, including using an Energy Star rated hot water heater, installing a tankless water heater, insulating the tank, installing heat traps, lowering the temperature of the hot water, using low-flow shower

---