A water heater may hide in a closet, a mechanical room, or a basement, but its services can be seen in everyday activities. From doing laundry and dishes to washing hands and showering, water heaters play a pivotal part in our lives. However, since they are out of sight and out of mind, it's easy to overlook the inefficiencies that are inflating your power bill each month. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to improve efficiency and reduce water heater costs.
Have Your Water Heater Professionally Serviced
Water heater service is crucial to ensure it is operating at optimal efficiency. Have your plumbing professional routinely service your hot water heater. They will catch any potential problems before they become serious issues.
Drain Your Hot Water Tank
Over time, minerals will settle to the bottom of the tank and form sediment. It is crucial to routinely drain the tank to remove this sediment a couple of times a year. Removing the sediment will increase the efficiency of your hot water heater. To do so, consult the manufacturer's manual. If you are unsure of how to safely drain the tank, consult your plumbing professional.
Lower the Hot Water Heater Temperature
Water heaters come with an adjustable thermostat. Often, the thermostat is set higher than it needs to be. The higher the temperature, the harder your water heater works and the higher the overall energy output, which translates into decreased efficiency. The general rule of thumb is no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Be sure to check your thermostat. If the temperature is too high, either turn it down yourself if you have the knowledge and tools or ask your plumbing professional to do it for you.
Reduce Hot Water Usage
Minimizing hot water usage is an easy way to improve hot water efficiency. Ways to reduce the amount of water you use include:
- Shorter showers
- Washing laundry in cold water
- Only running your dishwasher when it's fully loaded
- Not leaving the hot water running when not in use
Install Low-Flow Fixtures
Older fixtures are inefficient, putting out more gallons per minute than is necessary. To conserve water usage and reduce the strain on your hot water heater, consider efficient low-flow fixtures. They reduce the rate of gallons per minute, minimizing the amount of hot water your water heater must produce, which increases energy efficiency. Fixtures you should consider replacing include:
- Toilets
- Shower heads
- Sink faucets
- Kitchen faucets
Insulate Pipes
Water comes out of the water heater hot, but this heat quickly dissipates while traveling through the pipes. The longer the journey to its destination, the more heat that is lost. Insulating the pipes is a great way to retain as much heat as possible and increase the efficiency of your hot water heater.
Save Money by Improving Hot Water Efficiency
Increasing the efficiency of your hot water heater will maximize its lifespan and keep more money in your wallet. Alpha Plumbing Solutions is here to help you get the most out of your water heater. Our expert team is here to inspect and service your water heater. When the time comes, we can replace your old, inefficient water heater with a new, efficient one. Contact us today for a free estimate.
