Save Money on Your Water Heating Bill

Hot water heating accounts for about 25 percent of the total energy consumption in your home, so the associated costs can add up quickly. Fortunately, there are some easy yet effective ways to reduce your water heating bill without any loss of comfort or convenience.

Lower the Thermostat Setting

Water heaters typically come from the factory with the thermostat set at 140 degrees. You can curb the appliance’s energy usage by up to 10 percent a year by following the instructions in your owner’s manual and lowering the thermostat setting to 120 degrees.

Insulate the Tank on Your Older Model

If your water heater is several years old, it may not be insulated to an optimal level to adequately limit heat loss. You can do a simple check to see if installing an insulated water heater blanket can improve the tank’s efficiency – if it feels warm to the touch, you could benefit from adding an extra layer of insulation.

Control Heat Loss Through the Water Pipes

If your water heater doesn’t have heat traps on the attached water lines, have them installed to reduce hot water losses. You can further limit energy waste by installing six feet of prefabricated foam sleeve pipe insulation on both the hot and cold lines coming out of the tank.

Flush the Tank Regularly

It’s impossible to prevent sediment buildup inside a water heater tank. If you don’t flush out the tank semi-annually according to the manufacturer’s instructions, the accumulation can erode the appliance’s energy efficiency and increase your water heating costs.

Control Hot Water Waste

Minor plumbing leaks and dripping faucets and showerheads can waste hundreds of gallons of water a month and inflate your water heating bill too. To keep both of these bills in check, inspect the pipes, faucets and showerheads routinely and fix any leaks promptly.