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Serving the Olympia, WA area since 1994

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Water Heater Tips

Your hot water heater will last between 10 and 20 years if it’s properly maintained. If you want to get the most out of your hot water heater, though, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Although today’s hot water heaters are already incredibly energy efficient, there are quite a few simple tasks you can perform on a regular basis that will help you and your family save money and get the most out of the system you have.

Insulation for Your Tank

The easiest way to reduce your hot water costs (in some cases) is to insulate your water tank. By covering the tank with insulation, you can significantly reduce the amount of energy required to heat your hot water, and that will bring your bills down as well. Energy won’t be lost quite so quickly when the hot water isn’t being used and the system won’t be forced to work so hard to reheat it.

Proper insulation should be used to avoid any potential fire hazards and to reduce heat loss. A professional heating or plumbing expert can help you choose the right insulation for your particular system.

Proper Temperature and Heating Source

The default temperature on many hot water heaters is 140°F. However, that’s much higher than you need it to be. In fact, anything above 120°F will burn you, so why keep your water heater turned up so high? Showers, cleaning clothes, and dishwashing can all be done with 120°F or less. Most hot water heaters are easy to turn down, so check your manufacturer’s instructions for how to reduce the temperature of your tank.

When installing your hot water heater, consider the cost of the fuel you will use. Gas hot water heaters are by far the most efficient of the three major types on the market. Electric water heaters are quite energy efficient as well but the cost of the electricity itself is typically much higher. Avoid electric hot water heating unless you have no other option.

Heat Pump Support

If you have a geothermal or standard heat pump installed, you can use the excess energy drawn from your home during the summer months to heat your hot water. Many hot water tanks provide a way to introduce alternative energy sources to the heating elements. Make sure to ask about this option when your technician installs your hot water heater or during a regular maintenance visit. It will likely reduce the cost of hot water for 2–4 months out of the year. Just because it’s hot outside doesn’t mean you won’t use plenty of hot water during that time.