Did you know that the second-highest energy cost in the average household is hot water? According to the U.S. Department of Energy, hot water typically makes up roughly 20% of the power bill. Though high, if it were ever taken away from us, we would feel the chill.
We all depend on hot water for things like hot showers, clean dishes, clean clothes, and other creature comforts. Therefore, we should not take hot water in our homes for granted. Rather, we’ve put together some tips and tricks you can adopt so its effect on your utility bills won’t be harsh. Let’s get into it.
1. Utilize Less Hot Water
This may sound too simple to help increase the efficiency of your water heater. Nonetheless, do you know that using cold water for the majority of your laundry loads—especially during the rinse cycle—and for daily hygiene will significantly lower your power expenditure? And cold water is also good for your health. So you can save some appreciable energy by using cold water at times.
2. Use The Proper Size Water Heater
Is the size of your water heater appropriate for your household? You might believe that a smaller water heater will help you save energy, but you’d be mistaken. Why?
An undersized water heater is overworked. It’s small, so it must run continuously while you use the hot water. Large utility bills will result from that water heater that runs nonstop! Instead, invest in a bigger water heater that can sustain the hot water demands of your household. It might be time for an upgrade if you discover that your water heater is continuously in use.
3. Clean Your Tank
Draining your water heater about once a year is good practice. By draining the tank, sediment that could obstruct heat transfer and reduce the unit’s effectiveness is removed. Though this method is rather simple, you should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. And don’t hesitate to call an expert for assistance if you’re unsure.
4. Purchase A Tankless Water Heater
Let’s start by asking what the heck a tankless water heater is. Simply put, it’s a heater that takes the place of the tank-style water heater you might be used to seeing in your basement, furnace room, or at your parent’s house. Tankless water heaters only heat water as is required, unlike the traditional one, which heats and stores water in a tank.
Why Go This Way?
- It has a higher durability guarantee because of the tough material used in constructing it.
- It conserves more energy with only 6% waste. This means that 94% of the input energy is effective. This is a good way to go when compared to the 40–42% unused energy experienced when using a tank storage water heater.
- You will also save some space as a tank is not required.
However, nothing goes without a negative effect. So when deciding to go tankless, you’ll have to factor in the initial investment of installation. But also make sure to consider the energy efficiency savings you gain from the upgrade. If you desire this, Morehart Air Conditioning and Heating is the kind of professional who can guide you in picking and installing the proper tankless water heater for your household needs.
Contact us immediately and become a member of our family—the way we prefer to see and be seen by our clients.
5. Insert a Volt Timer
As we’ve mentioned earlier, the majority of households spend up to 20% of their energy budget on water heating, even though the heater isn’t always running. This percentage demonstrates how some water heaters waste a lot of power while in standby mode, but that’s what a volt timer tries to prevent.
A volt timer has the ability to really turn off your water heater when it’s not in use, such as when you’re on vacation. It also comes in digital and mechanical types.
This is not something you can just fix, as you will need a professional to install the timer for you. Not to toot our own horn, but our team at Morehart is one of your best options if you live in Arizona.
It’s facts.
6. Fix All The Leaks
Leaks – from faulty faucets, for instance – can appear as minor problems. But they waste a lot of energy. For the good of your pockets, ensure that there’s no leak anywhere.
7. Insulate The Pipes And Water Tank
Along with insulating the tank itself, you might also want to think about doing so for the first 6 feet of the hot and cold water lines that are linked to the appliance. Because of the reduction in heat loss, your system won’t have to work as hard to reheat it. This will also reduce the risk of fire. Remember, not insulating your water tank and pipes can become very disastrous in the cold weather, as the system may burst.
You don’t want to experience that either. Give our team at Morehart the opportunity to offer you both a life-saving and pocket-preserving service by contacting us to insulate your water heating system. Our final word on this subject is that you will need this service much more urgently if the point from where the water is being heated is far away, meaning that hot water is conveyed quite a distance through pipes. The longer your hot water travels through an uninsulated connecting system, the more heat is lost.
8. Lower The Thermostat
Most factories will presume you set your heating temperature to 130–140°F. However, more energy is required to raise the water to that temperature. Instead, stick with the US Department of Energy’s recommendation of 120°F. If this lower temperature also saves you about 3–5% more energy, it’s worth it.
Take Care of Your Water Heater So It Can Take Care of You
Everyone deserves to have high efficiency from their water heater – to save more money rather than have a heap of bills to cater for. But you can only achieve these when you implement sensible tips and tricks. Just to reiterate a few of what we’ve already mentioned:
- Purchase a proper-sized tankless water heater
- Install a voltage timer
- Ensure your water heater system is insulated
- Clear off sediment from your tank
- Plug all leaks
- Go easy on the temperature
Some of these require a competent specialist to implement for your home. At Morehart AC and Heating, we have both the competence and the ability to offer great services as we are committed to the well-being of the community. Contact us now to book an appointment.
