If you’re like most homeowners, you are probably continuously looking for ways to reduce your energy consumption and save money. While you probably keep an eye on your heating and cooling costs and utilize the latest in lighting technology, you probably haven’t thought about your water heater. Let’s take a look at why insulating your water heater can save on your monthly utility bill.
How Water Heater Insulation Helps
Traditional tank water heaters can lose heat to the surrounding air when not in use. Insulating the tank of your water heater will significantly reduce this heat loss, especially in older models.
By reducing heat loss, your water heater won’t have to reheat the water as frequently. This leads to lower energy consumption, which keeps monthly utility bills low. You can cut your heat loss by a significant amount, saving on your water heating costs.
Insulating your water heater is also an environmentally friendly act. Lower energy consumption means you’re lessening your reliance on fossil fuels and reducing your carbon footprint.
Since your water heater won’t have to work as hard to maintain the water’s temperature, you’ll reduce the overall wear and tear on the system. This potentially extends its lifespan, saving you money by prolonging the need for a replacement.
Furthermore, insulating your water heater helps it maintain a consistent temperature. You’ll likely enjoy a steadier supply of hot water for everything from showering to doing your laundry.
Other Considerations
Before insulating your water heater, you want to make sure it isn’t leaking. Insulation won’t help a leaky water heater.
If you have a modern water heater, insulating it may not be as beneficial as with older models. New water heater designs include ample insulation. A good test is to touch the outside of your tank. If it’s warm, insulation will help.
You need to take extra precautions with gas water heaters. You don’t want to block the vent or burner area. In addition, you don’t want to set the thermostat above 130°F on an electric water heater with an insulation jacket. This can cause the wiring to overheat.
Insulating your water heater is a step in the right direction when it comes to saving energy and money. If you have any other questions concerning your hot water needs, we can help. Our team of experts has provided quality service to our customers for almost 30 years. Call Travco Plumbing, Inc. in Eureka, IL today to learn more about all of our water heater services.