There are many ways to maintain your water heater and increase its efficiency. Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Blair County has created this tried and true list. We recommend you try one (or more) of these things every year because by making quick and easy fixes, you can save money on your energy bill and extend the life of your water heater. When you need plumbers in Johnstown, get in touch with us immediately.
Turn Down Your Thermostat
Turning down your thermostat is a simple way to save energy. You can also use a timer to set the water heater to only run when needed, which will help you keep your bills lower. This will also extend the life of your heater. Avoid using hot water for tasks that don’t require it. If you’re doing laundry or dishes, try using cold water instead of hot. This can cut down on the amount of energy you use and save money.
Invest In a Tankless Water Heater
A tankless water heater can save you money because it only heats up the water you need at anytime. This means that even if you run several appliances simultaneously or have a large family, you won’t be wasting energy heating up more than necessary. Tankless heaters can also be installed outside where there is access to natural sunlight during the day, so they don’t require electricity for operation or maintenance. Depending on your current setup and budget, this could be an excellent investment for reducing your energy bill year-round!
Right-Sized Water Heater
Homeowners often underestimate how much hot water they need — especially if they have teenagers or young children who don’t always remember to turn off the faucet when rinsing dishes or brushing their teeth. Before installing a new water heater or replacing an old one, consider how much hot water is used in your household daily and increase the size of your unit accordingly.
Keep Your Tank Sediment Free
Clean out sediment from tanks at least once every two years with an acid solution safe for plumbing systems and won’t corrode parts inside tanks or lines leading away from them.
Insulate Pipes and Water Tanks
Insulate pipes and tanks to keep them as efficient as possible. This can also protect your pipes from freezing in cold weather if they aren’t insulated properly.
Install a Volt Timer
A volt timer is a digital device that helps control the temperature of your hot water by automatically turning it on and off. The timer can be set to turn on at a specific time, such as in the morning when you get ready for work. This will keep the water warm enough for showering and other activities. When it’s time to go to bed, simply set the timer again so that it turns off after an hour or so, depending on how long it takes for the water to cool down. You’ll save money by only heating what you need instead of keeping it constantly running throughout the day and night.
Use Less Hot Water
Use less hot water by installing a low-flow showerhead or sink aerator, which reduces the amount of water flowing through pipes while still providing enough pressure for showers and dishwashing.
Seal the Ductwork
One of the biggest problems affecting your hot water system is air infiltration through ducts. This is especially true if you have an older home with galvanized steel pipes; these corrode over time and let air into your system. If you don’t seal off these leaks, they can waste up to 20 percent of your energy. It’s easy to check for leaks in your ductwork by spraying soapy water over all pipes and connections. If there are any bubbles, you have a leak that needs fixing before it can cause damage or make you pay for wasted energy use (and money).
Clean and Replace Filters
Replace filters regularly as well; this helps prevent contaminants from entering your home’s plumbing system through faucets, toilets, and other fixtures.
Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Blair County
The above tips will help you minimize energy loss through your water heater, saving you money on your water heating bill over time. If you’re unsure which of these techniques is right, research or ask our plumbers in Bedford for more advice.
