Save Money on Your Energy Bill and Maximize Efficiency with Your Traditional Water Heater

Hot water is the second largest energy expense in the home and accounts for 18 percent of your home’s energy cost. However, you can reduce this cost by making just a few adjustments to your home’s traditional water heater and being mindful of the amount of hot water your household uses. To help you start saving money, follow these five helpful tips from Central Plumbing before your next energy bill.

1. Lower the Temperature on Your Water Heater Thermostat

Water heater manufacturers generally set their default temperature to 140 degrees. However, water temperature at this level puts your family at risk of burning. The lower the temperature, the less power your water heater requires to heat the water. By bumping the temperature to 120 degrees, you can see up to 10 percent in savings on your energy bill and reduce your family’s risk of being burned by scalding water.

2. Insulate Your Water Heater

When you own a traditional water heater, the hot water sits in the storage tank, which causes the water to naturally cool down over time, known as standby heat loss. As a result, the water is in a constant cycle of being cooled and reheated, consuming a lot of energy. Many newer models of water heaters are well-insulated, but older models may not be. If you are unsure if you could benefit from insulating your water heater, call Central Plumbing today for assistance.

3. Reduce How Much Hot Water You Use

Using less hot water in your home doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice your morning hot showers. Reducing the amount of hot water used for other routines, such as laundry or washing dishes, can make a difference in cutting costs on your energy bill. So next time you do a load of laundry or brush your teeth, consider using cold water instead.

4. Install Low-Flow Faucets and Shower Heads

Another way to save water and reduce energy costs without having to take cold showers every day is to install low-flow shower heads. Low-flow faucets and shower heads will reduce the amount of water that comes out, therefore reducing the amount of hot water used. Lowering usage will result in even lower costs on your water bill. Be sure to look for the WaterSense label to ensure it is certified by the EPA to reduce the amount of water you use by 30 percent.

5. Consider Replacing Your Older Water Heater

The average lifespan of a traditional water heater is between 8 to 12 years. Older water heaters, however, lack the energy efficiency features that the newer models have. Not to mention, the operating cost on a newer water tank model costs significantly less. So, if your traditional water heater isn’t running at the efficiency that you would like, call Central Plumbing.

We install energy-efficient water heaters that work best for your home’s water usage while saving you money on your utility bills. For more information, contact our certified plumbers today!