Efficient Water Heaters Can Still Be Improved

Energy-efficient water heaters are about 10% to 15% more efficient than conventional water heaters. Greater efficiency is accomplished by better insulation around the tank and heat traps on the hot and cold water pipes. Heat loss can be further reduced by selecting the appropriate size water heater. The smaller, the better.

Smaller heaters have less surface area for heat loss. Avoid one that’s too small, otherwise, you may run short on hot water. Ask your dealer for information on water heater sizing, or write Home Clinic.

Even if you’re not in the market for a new water heater, there are things you can do to maintain your water heater and save energy. Follow these tips:

* Set the temperature of your hot water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

* Wrap your hot water tank with insulation. If gas, leave adequate clearance from the vent and pilot light. Also insulate any hot water pipes exposed in a basement or especially in an unheated crawl space.

* Repair faucet drips and leaks immediately. A hot water leak of only 60 drops per minute will waste 192 gallons of water. This totals about 50 kwh (kilowatt-hours) of electricity each month.

* Turn the water heater off (at the circuit breaker) when away for three days or more if electric and a week if gas.

* Drain the water tank each year to reduce sediment accumulation. Turn the water and power off before starting. Most water heaters have a faucet near the bottom to which a garden hose can be attached. Have the hose empty the water into a nearby sink. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

* Showering, clothes washing, and dish washing are big hot water users. Use water-saving shower heads and faucet fixtures on all taps in the home. Showering with a water saving fixture uses half the water of a regular shower while maintaining strong pressures.

* Use the energy-saving cycles on clothes washers, whenever possible. These are the cold wash/cold rinse and warm wash/cold rinse cycles.

* Don’t waste water or your time by prerinsing dishes before loading them in the dishwasher. Wash only full loads.

* Install aerators on kitchen and bathroom faucets to reduce water consumption by as much as half.