4 Tips to Lower Energy Bills from Your Water Heater

Your water heater consumes more energy than any other home appliance besides your heating or home cooling system. In fact, your water heater typically accounts for about 18 percent of your annual utility bill.

If you want to keep your water heating bills as low as possible, there are four ways to do it:

1. Use less hot water

  • Try to reduce the time or frequency of use with appliances that use hot water. The gallons can add up quickly – here are some average hot water per use figures for common appliances:
    • Clothes washer – 25 gallons
    • Shower – 10 gallons
    • Dishwasher – 6 gallons
    • Kitchen / bathroom faucet (2 gallons / minute)
  • Install low-flow faucets and showerheads
  • Repair leaky faucets quickly – gallons of water can leak in just a few minutes

2. Turn down the thermostat on your water heater

  • Set your water heater’s thermostat to 120°F. Most water heaters are set higher, but 120 is fine for most uses.

3. Insulate your water heater

  • Insulate your electric hot-water storage tank but be careful not to cover the thermostat (follow manufacturer’s instructions or contact us to learn more)
  • Insulate your natural gas or oil-fired water storage tank but be careful not to cover the water heater’s top, bottom, thermostat, or burner compartment. (follow manufacturer’s instructions or contact us to learn more)
  • Insulate the first 6 feet of the hot and cold water pipes connected to the water heater.

4. Consider a new, more efficient water heater

  • Consider replacing your water heater if it’s more than seven years old. A new energy-efficient water heater will pay for itself in a couple of years.
  • Consider natural gas on-demand or tankless water heaters, which heat water directly without using a storage tank. You can save up to 30 percent with a tankless model compared with a standard natural gas storage tank water heater.

If you’re considering a replacement for your water heater, contact us to take advantage of our special sale and get a $100 rebate if you order by July 31!

For everything you need in home heating, trust the pros at Carroll Home Services – keeping Maryland homes warm for more than a century! Contact us to get started today!