How to Improve Water Heater Efficiency in Your Metro East Home

Although the efficiency rating of your water heater plays a big role in how much energy your unit consumes, it’s not the only factor that comes into play. Today we’re going to talk about five different ways that you can help improve your water heater’s efficiency!

5 ways to improve water heater efficiency

1. Turn down your unit’s thermostat. When many water heaters leave the manufacturing plant, their thermostats are set to 140 degrees. However, this temperature setting is higher than what’s needed for most homes. By setting your water heater’s thermostat to 120 degrees, you can save energy while still having water that’s hot enough for every use in your home.
2. Take advantage of the vacation setting. The thermostat on many water heaters comes with an energy-saving vacation setting that you can use if you’re going to be away from home for days at a time. This is especially useful if you’re escaping to some warmer weather during winter in the Metro East area!
3. Periodically drain your tank. Tap water contains hardness minerals like calcium and magnesium that build up on the bottom of your water heater’s tank over time. When this happens, it can significantly reduce your unit’s efficiency. You can avoid this problem by draining a couple gallons of water from your tank about every three months. If you schedule a water heater tune-up with Tiger, we’ll drain your tank for you!
4. Install faucet aerators and low flow showerheads. The less hot water you use at home, the more efficient your water heater will be. One of the best ways to cut down on your home’s hot water consumption is to install faucet aerators and low flow showerheads that lower the flow-rate of your fixtures without hindering their performance.
5. Take shorter showers. During winter, it can be tempting to take long showers to get some relief from the cold weather. However, showers are one of the leading sources of hot water consumption in your home. Try to limit your showers to a reasonable time (about five minutes) in order to maintain good efficiency from your water heater.

If you have any questions about how to improve your water heater’s efficiency, or if you’d like a plumbing system serviced or installed in your home, contact Tiger, your Glen Carbon plumbing, heating and cooling contractor.

photo credit: akeg via photopin cc