Water Heating: How to Get Low Energy Bill?

We all agree that water heating is one of home activities that require a lot of energy, especially during coldest winter when the natural light energy of the sunlight is so difficult to be found. The energy bill that you must pay for every month is probably something that always will be a problem that can drain your pocket seriously. Therefore, it is so reasonable that there are a lot of homeowners who are looking for any options to keep low their monthly energy bill. Fortunately, there are also several ideas and options to help you to get a low energy bill of your water heating activity. Well, let’s explore more those ideas right here!

# First, for more energy savings, you have to reduce hot water use! There are some options to do it, such as:

1. Check regularly your hot water heater to find and fix any leaks! The leaks usually can be found in pipes, faucets or showerheads. You should know that a single leak of one drip /second will cost around $1 /month! And if you find a complex leak in the tank, it is better to purchase a new water heater.

2. Avoid using a high-flow fixture! But it is better to choose and use one (low-flow fixture) that has specification (80 pounds/square inch for the water pressure, lower than 2.5 gallons/minutes for the flow rate). Ideally, the fixture should not exceed 2.2 gallons/minute (at 60 psi) or 2.5 gallons/minute (at 80 psi). This new low-flow fixture can be purchased around $15 – $21.

3. Replace your old showerhead model by new one that has 2.5 gallons/minute for the flow rate. Today, you will find two major types of showerhead; laminar-flow and aerating.

4. Use a new faucet that has aerator which will be helpful to restrict the flow rate of the faucet up to 2.2 gallons/minute to 0.5 gallons/minute. In addition, there are also available new models of faucets that are designed with shut-off-valve feature. It is helpful to discontinue the flow of hot water without inflicting the temperature.

5. Avoid using any clothes washers and dishwashers that work inefficiently. Concern to the energy-guide label & the performance of the booster heater when purchasing a new dishwasher. For clothes washers, make sure you buy one with an energy-star label!

# Other idea to get a lower energy bill is by familiarizing with a lower water heating temperature!

This is one of simple ideas to get a low energy bill of your water heating activity. If you want to save 3-5 percent in energy costs, you can reduce the heating temperature around 10 degrees Fahrenheit. There are several manufactures that set their thermostat products at around 140 degrees Fahrenheit for the standard operation. In fact most of household usually only need at around 120 degrees Fahrenheit!

By setting your thermostat at around 120 degrees Fahrenheit is also great idea to make longer lifetime of the heater and pipes, because it can be effective method to minimize the corrosion & mineral buildup.

# Don’t forget to insulate the tank & pipes!

Insulation is one of effective option to reduce the heat loss. Adding insulation to the storage tank will be helpful to decrease standby heat losses up to more than 25 percent and even with the right insulation can reduce heat losses up to 24 percent, wow excellent. But if your storage tank is already equipped with at least R-24 (high R-value of insulation), I think you don’t have to insulate the tank anymore! A tank with a high R-value is usually not too warm when your hand is touching it.

The insulation for the tank of gas water heater and the tank of electric water heater is different. One thing that you should know; the cost for adding insulation is not too expensive and even it can pay for itself in around a year!

Then adding insulation to the pipes (particularly within three feet of the water heater) is also welcome idea for energy savings! This idea also can reduce the heat loss and on other hand can increase the water temperature for around 2-4 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also so recommended if you want to insulate & isolate the cold water inlet pipes, especially for the first 3 feet.

To get more completely information about this insulation (either for the tank or pipes) you can contact a local heating contractor or you can search guides on how to do it by searching a related keywords via Google or Bing.

# Considering heat traps for the storage tank!

Some of modern water heaters are now already equipped with heat traps! But if your unit still doesn’t have them, you can add them to save your money around $15 to $31 on your energy bill. Heat traps are superior to prevent convective heat losses via outlet or inlet pipes. Heat traps are usually supported by loops or valves of pipe to prevent undesired hot-water flow out of your tank. The valves usually also have function to discontinue convection because they are equipped with balls inside that either sink or float into a seat. In addition, installing heat traps are difficult, especially for anyone who doesn’t have adequate skill. Therefore, it is so recommended to hire a professional & qualified plumbing to do it properly and professionally.

# For electric water heater, install a timer!

Timer is also popular feature that nowadays can be found in many new modern electric water heaters. But if your electric hot water heater still doesn’t have it, you must install it to get more energy savings. This feature is so helpful to allow user can set the long time duration of the operation of the unit. Even it can make the unit will turn off automatically at night, particularly when we do not use the unit or during our utility’s high demand times. But timer is not welcome idea for gas water heaters due to their pilot lights.

# And don’t miss to also consider drain-water heat recovery!

In fact, any high temperature water that goes down the drain will carry hot energy with it. This is typically around 79 percent or 91 percent of the energy used to heat water in a house. According to this fact, it is so important for you to consider grey-water heat recovery (or drain-water recovery) to capture and reuse this energy that eventually can be used to preheat the water. For further information, you can contact a qualified plumbing of your local area. As additional information, the prices-range of drain-water recovery systems is around $299 to $501! And for the installation cost is usually relatively cheaper for new home construction.

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