Energy bills, whether water or electricity, are always a concern for many, and one appliance that uses the most of either of them is the water heater. That’s why you want to make it more efficient to get the hot water and still save your hard-earned money.
How to Improve the Efficiency of a Water Heater?
You may have an electric or gas water heater, but there are a few ways to improve its efficiency. Let’s discuss it.
1. Flush Out Sediment Buildup in the Tank
Like any other appliance, minerals in the water settle at the bottom of the tank wth the passage of time, and that creates a layer between the burner and the water. So, the water heater ends up heating that junk before it even touches the water.
That wastes energy, takes longer to heat, and causes a rumbling or popping noise while it’s running. The more the sediment piles up, the harder it is for the water heater to do its job.
It is best that you flush your water heater out every six months or so to get rid of all that sediment buildup. This way, the burner doesn’t have to fight through that mineral layer every time you need hot water.
2. Check for Leakage
A water heater with a leak wastes hot water and becomes less efficient. The heater then refills the tank to recover that lost volume, which leads to extra energy use. This cycle repeats each time water escapes, which means more power or gas is used even when you don’t need hot water.
You can fix the minor leaks coming from loose pipe connections by just tightening them. However, the leak comes from the tank itself, which means internal damage, and you should call a plumber.
3. Dial Down the Water Heater Temperature
If you turn down the temperature on your water heater, it does save money, and it’s one of those things you can do in like five minutes that starts to take effect right away. Most heaters are set around 140°F by default, but you probably don’t need it that high unless there’s a reason for it, like taking a long shower.
When the temperature is that high, the water heater uses more energy just to keep the water hot all day, even when nobody uses it. That repeated cycle wastes electricity or gas very quickly.
Now, if you turn it down to around 120°F, you still get hot showers, and your dishes still come out clean without scalding your hand. That 20-degree difference might not sound like a lot, but it cuts down standby heat loss. It is the heat that escapes from the water heater tank while it rests unused.
Also, the lower setting reduces mineral buildup in the tank because hotter temperatures cause more scaling. So not only do you save on bills, but you also make your water heater’s life easier.
So turn that dial down a notch, and you’re good.
4. Insulate the Tank and Pipes
Most people forget this, but a lot of heat escapes through the tank walls and the pipes that carry the hot water to your fixtures. That means the heater keeps turning on again just to bring the temperature back up. But if you wrap the tank in an insulation blanket and cover the first few feet of hot water pipes, the heat gets stored in longer.
This simple and cheap hack cuts down on energy use because the water heater doesn’t lose warmth as quickly. The water is hotter for longer periods, especially in cold weather when pipes lose heat faster than usual.
5. Install a Volt Meter or Timer
If you own an electric water heater, install a volt meter to help you figure out exactly when it runs and how much power it uses. When you know the peak hours, you can shut off the water heater during the times when you’re not using hot water.
That can save power daily without changing how you do your daily chores. It also shows you when the water heater turns on too often or runs at odd times. Without guessing, you can then actually see how it performs and make better decisions about your usage.
6. Cut Down on Hot Water Usage
One of the easiest things you can do is to just use less hot water. If you shorten your shower time or switch to low-flow showerheads, the water heater does not need to refill and reheat water as often.
Another tip is to use cold water to wash clothes and run your dishwasher on an eco-mode. When you do all these little things together, it puts way less pressure on the heater to match the demand. Less demand means fewer cycles, and that alone can make your water heater efficient and reduce your energy bills.
Which Size of Water Heater Is More Efficient?
A big water heater is just going to heat more water than you’re ever going to use. If you live alone or there are just two of you, then there is no need to buy a huge 80-gallon tank, which doesn’t make sense.
On the other hand, a small water heater needs to run constantly just to meet your demand. That nonstop cycling doesn’t just waste energy; it also shortens the life of your water heater.
So, if you’ve got a full house with multiple bathrooms in it, then a tiny water heater tank is going to struggle. Therefore, you should replace it with the one that has a tank size with the actual usage so that the appliance runs smoothly and doesn’t waste power trying to keep up.
Is a Tankless Water Heater More Efficient?
Traditional water heaters have a big tank that works tirelessly to run and then store hot water all day, even when you do not use it. That means the heater burns energy just to maintain the temperature, even if no one takes a shower or runs the washing machine. But with a tankless water heater, that whole process disappears. Instead of storing hot water, it only heats water when you open a tap. The moment you turn on the faucet, the water flows through a heating element, and that’s when it gets hot.
There is no tank in it to hold the warmth unnecessarily, and you do not waste energy between uses. That on-demand heat changes your power bill, especially if you have a smaller household. It also takes up less space since no bulky tank stays in the corner. And you never run out of hot water either, which is perfect if you like long showers or you’ve got guests over.
Now, the upfront cost in investing in a tankless water heater is higher, but over time, you save because the unit runs better and does not wear out as fast. Also, if you already plan to replace an old unit, then you can go with a tankless heater as a better choice. It runs cleaner and heats faster in the long run when your goal is to reduce waste and save money on the water bill at the same time.
Conclusion
You now know how to make a water heater more efficient on your own. You can lower the temperature, flush out sediment, insulate pipes, use the right tank size, or replace it with a tankless heater. If your heater leaks or fails to heat the water, California Coast Plumbers can come in and fix the problem with it before the damage gets worse. Call today.