Homeowners are feeling the pinch of increasing energy prices in the current fall season, but the key to solving the matter lies in one place: in the basement or utility room in every house, in the form of water heater insulation. Insulating one’s water heater is one of the most underrated methods to reduce one’s expenditure on energy, and it only takes about 90 minutes to finish at a cost of only $30.
Insulating water heaters cuts energy consumption immediately
Homeowners would never think of the water heater in the house as an area where there is a waste of energy, but old tanks always lose heat via the sides of the tank. Insulating water heaters can help to minimize heat losses during standby while ensuring even temperatures in the tank at any time of the day. The US Department of Energy finds that correct insulation can help to minimize heat loss values to between 25 and 45 percent, thereby ensuring savings on the bill.
The most benefit goes to electric water heaters in terms of application, especially models before the era of the new standards for efficiency were applied. If you can touch the tank with warmth, it is literally wasting your money in the form of vapor in the room. Gas units don’t require the same concerns because most heat is lost in the flue and not in the tank.
Professional installation techniques maximize energy bill reductions
The process takes only basic tools and involves basic safety measures, but it provides professional results if done properly. “Blanket the tank, banish the bills” – Quick Home Tip to save up to 45% of energy consumption this fall, because improper methods of blanket application may lead to either low performance or safety risks. The process is achieved by turning off the power at the breaker and removing any debris on top of the tank.
Take accurate measurements to cover the desired areas without leaving any control panel, thermostat, or safety valves exposed beyond complete coverage. Mark the areas where you would place the controls with a permanent marker before cutting exact holes in the blanket material. You can use vinyl tape to hold the blanket in place around the tank.
Critical safety requirements:
- Do not block temperature relief valves or drain connections
- Clear space around gas exhaust vents and combustion air intakes
- Do not cover any electrical panels or thermostat controls
- Do not place insulation near hot water pipes and fixtures
Long-term benefits go beyond the savings on the monthly bill
There are various benefits of water heater insulation aside from saving on current expenditures on heating the water. These include the extended life of the equipment and consistency in performance. Studies indicate that water heaters with insulation are able to control temperatures in the tank more efficiently with less cycling of the equipment inside the tank.
The investment pays for itself in the first twelve months of operation in terms of savings on consumption, thereby making it one of the highest-yield residential improvement investments that can be made. In addition to the aforementioned benefit, insulated water heaters tend to react well to variations in demand and tend to reheat faster after periods of intense usage. The reduced strain on the power stations and fossil fuel, in turn, promotes clean air and reduces greenhouse gases in residential areas. Insulating Water Heaters
The best blend of low costs, ease of implementation, and savings benefits is exemplified in the process of insulating water heaters in terms of decreasing energy consumption during autumn. The savings can be achieved with minimal out-of-pocket expenses in terms of implementing the project on the weekend, and can serve to reduce rising consumption and related rising costs associated with rising requirements for conserving the environment in terms of reduced consumption.
