Your water heater plays a significant role in your Reading, PA home’s energy usage. Homeowners who want to save money on their utility bills will want to follow these four tips for improved performance and better efficiency.
1. Check the Thermostat
Is your water heater’s thermostat set at the right temperature for enhanced efficiency? Ideally, you want to set the thermostat to 120°F. Not only does this thermostat setting save you money, but it can prevent scalding.
2. Insulate the Water Heater
Most water heaters experience 24%-45% standby heat loss, which is heat lost during the transfer process. Insulating your water heater helps it work more efficiently by minimizing standby heat loss. Hardware stores sell affordable insulating blankets for water heaters. Most people who insulate their water heaters save between 7% and 16% on water heating costs annually. Also, don’t forget to insulate the first few feet of piping. Comfort Pro Inc can perform this task.
3. Schedule Regular Maintenance Checks
Scheduling annual maintenance is always one of the best ways to ensure your water heater operates as efficiently as possible. At Comfort Pro, Inc, we recommend flushing once a year to remove sediment buildup. Too much sediment in the tank forces heating elements to work harder, which can cause the water heater to use more energy than necessary.
4. Consider Upgrading to a New Model
How old is your water heater? If it’s 10 years old or older, you might want to consider upgrading. If you want to improve your efficiency even more, consider upgrading to a tankless water heater. These water heaters produce heat on demand, have little to no standby heat loss, and can be up to 34% more energy efficient than tank water heaters. But you don’t have to upgrade to a tankless heater to enjoy more efficient water heating. EnergyStar-rated tank water heaters meet new federal standards regarding energy usage and can save your household just as much money on energy usage.
If you want better water efficiency, Comfort Pro, Inc. has solutions. Since 2001, we’ve helped the Reading community and surrounding areas with all their heating, cooling, and water heating needs. To learn more about water heater efficiency, contact Comfort Pro, Inc. today!
