According to the U.S. Department of Energy, your water heater accounts for 18% of the total energy your home uses. That is much energy to spend on a single appliance. That means it is a great place to focus on if you’re trying to improve your home’s energy efficiency. With our tips on improving the energy efficiency of your water heater, you’ll be saving money in no time. The two main areas you should focus on are reducing the amount of hot water you use and reducing heat loss from your water heater’s tank.

Reduce Hot Water Use

Switch to low-flow showerheads. Low-flow fixtures have a pretty bad reputation. However, new low-flow models use as little as 2 gallons per minute while still pumping out water at 80 psi. That means you can save water without sacrificing the water pressure we all love first thing in the morning.
Hunt down and fix leaks. Even a minor leak wastes water over time, and setting them is a great way to reduce your hot water use as well as prevent potential water damage.
Replace the aerators on your faucets with a low flow option. You can save up to 50% of the water you use at the tap by replacing your old aerators with new low-flow models. Standard aerators use 2 gallons per minute, while low flow can use as little as 1 gallon per minute.
Put down the sponge! Modern dishwashers can use up to 20 gallons less than washing dishes by hand, so save yourself some work and let the dishwasher do it for you.

Cut Down on Heat Waste in Your Water Heater

Invest in a water heater blanket. Everyone likes a nice warm blanket when the weather gets cold, and your water heater is no different. You can pick up an insulating water heater blanket from your local hardware store to reduce heat loss in the tank, which will stop your water heater from having to reheat the water in the tank as often.
Reduce heat loss in your pipes. Your water can lose much heat as it travels through pipes. Pick up some cheap pipe insulation from your hardware store to reduce the amount of heat being sucked out of the water as it goes to the fixture.
Turn down your water heater thermostat. Reducing your water temperature from 140 degrees F to 120 degrees F could reduce your energy use by 6-10% without any noticeable difference at the tap.

Need Help? Call our Team of Professionals

If you feel like some of these changes are a little out of your skill range, our team of professional plumbers here at Water Heaters Masters can help. Our team can take care of it for you, from new fixtures to new energy-efficient water heaters and other appliances.

We offer top-notch water heater services in the following areas: