Water Heater Tips: 5 Ways to Save on Your Water Heating Bill

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Having your own home increases your responsibilities as an individual. You have to consider a lot of things, such as groceries, mortgage, and utility bills. These things must be appropriately managed, or else you'll find yourself in deep trouble.

To survive financially, one of the things that a person could do is to be efficient when it comes to hot water use. Why? Well, water heaters are reportedly held accountable for about 18 percent of your total energy bill, making it the second-largest utility fee in your home.

If you are currently in a tight situation or want to be wiser regarding your expenses, read on and find out about the things you can do to be cost-efficient when it comes to hot water use.

Lower Your Thermostat’s Temperature

Something that you have to know about your thermostat is that every time you lower the temperature by 10 degrees, you will be able to save at least 3 to 5 percent of your energy bill. According to the professionals from the Energy Department, the recommended thermostat temperature is 120 degrees. 

The recommended temperature will be sufficient for your needs and is enough to reduce any mineral buildup that might take place in your tank and pipes. Now, how can you ensure that the temperature is at 120 degrees? Do the following below:

• Measure the water temperature at the faucet by using a thermometer. Remember the temperature indicated on your thermostat.

• Adjust the thermostat temperature to 120 degrees based on the measurement you did earlier. After the adjustment, wait for around 2 hours, then measure it again. Make sure to equip yourself with patience since this process might require a lot of attempts before hitting the mark.

• Keep in mind that some water heaters have thermostats on the bottom heating and another one on the top. Make sure to double-check everything so you wouldn’t miss any details regarding your water heater.

Insulate the Tank

If you're currently looking to buy hot water system for your home, consider insulating your water tanks and pipes. If you lag your storage tanks—whether it's natural gas, oil, or electric— the amount of heat loss will be reduced, resulting in fewer water heating expenses while retaining the heat for a longer duration.

If you're considering a water tank insulation,  it is best to call a trusted local plumber for assistance and guidance.

Consider Heat Traps

One of the things that you can do to save energy and money is to invest in heat traps. Heat traps help reduce heat loss for up to 60 percent. Thus, it significantly helps with lowering your energy bill. 

Using heat traps prevents the heated water and unwanted convection from flowing through the storage tank, letting the cold water flow into it. If you currently don't have a water heater and are considering getting one, make sure to choose ones with built-in heat traps. Ask your trusted plumber for assistance during the installation process.

Consume Less Hot Water 

A sure-fire way to cut hot water expenses is by using it less. Did you know that if you have a family of four that uses hot water to shower for five minutes a day, you are using 700 gallons of water each week? Now, imagine if you are using it for more than 5 minutes a day— the volume would be higher, which will equate to an increase in your utility bills.

You can solve this problem by using less hot water or installing a low-flow showerhead and faucet aerators. By using these items, you can cut your hot water consumption from 25% up to 60%. Not only that, but you will be able to save money on your energy and water bill.

Maintenance: Draining the Tank

You should be aware that tanks naturally build up sediments, which will cause you money and energy-saving challenges. Thus, you need to drain the tank once every one to three years, depending on the model of your hot water tank.

Draining a tank is very easy to do. You only need to follow the steps below:

• Turn off the water and power unit, and set the burner to pilot mode on a gas unit.

• Look for a faucet at the base of your tank and connect it to your garden hose.

• Proceed with draining the tank’s water by lifting the tank’s pressure-relief valve carefully while pointing the other end of the hose at the floor drain.

Make sure that you know your tank unit and follow the manufacturer's instructions. If you are in doubt, don’t hesitate to ask for professional help.

Takeaway

Hot water is deemed a necessity in countries with cold weather. Some people need it to relieve themselves from the frigid temperatures. However, using heat means spending money on hot water bills. But by being efficient with hot water consumption, you’ll be able to save money on both energy and water bills.