Think about how often you use hot water in your home. Every time you take a shower, scrub the dishes, or throw a load of laundry into the washer, you are using your water heater. Frequent use may be necessary, but it can potentially cause your water bill to skyrocket. Here are a few ways to cut costs while using your water heater:
Use Less Water
This is the most obvious way to save money. People use a great amount of hot water when they shower. By tweaking your shower habits a little, you can save a good amount of money. Try taking warm showers instead of cranking the heat all the time. You can also use cold water to wash your clothes. Not only does it help to preserve your clothing, so they last longer – it cleans just as well as hot water!
Turn Down the Temperature
Your hot water stays the same temperature 24/7. That means that the water is constantly hot and ready to be delivered to you through your pipes. As you can probably imagine, this requires a lot of energy. By turning down the set temperature on your water heater, you can save. This cuts energy usage drastically and can help you save on your utilities. If you’re unsure about how to go about setting the temperature, ask a professional for assistance.
Switch it Off When Appropriate
If you’re going on a trip or you know that you will be away from your home for a lengthy period of time, it’s perfectly fine to switch off your water heater. Most models only take an hour to reheat after cooling completely, so be sure to give it time before hopping into the shower. If you’re not around to use the hot water, why should it have to stay hot?
Insulation
Your tank should be insulated! Any tank that isn’t can suffer massive heat loss, which is a major waste of energy. Insulation is inexpensive and can save you on your utilities. Try touching your tank – if it’s warm to the touch, it means you’re losing heat.
Set a Timer
Programmable timers on electric models can shut the heat off when you don’t need it. You don’t need hot water while you’re asleep in bed or away at work for the day. Again, it’s important to remember that it does take a while to heat back up. Just be sure that your timing is thought out, and you won’t even notice that it’s off!
Invest in a Newer Model
Most hot water heaters have a lifespan of 8-12 years. With the modern technology of the past few years, it’s almost guaranteed that your older model is outdated. It may seem like it’s working perfectly, but all models lose efficiency as they age. An inefficient machine requires more energy to operate, which can put a dent in your wallet when it’s time to pay your utilities. Investing in a new machine will save you money in the long run, so call Papalia if you have any questions about selecting a replacement.
Go Tankless With Papalia!
With a tankless water heater, water is heated instantly, only when you need it. Instead of wasting money and energy with a constantly heated tank, the tankless water heater creates hot water the second you turn on the faucet. Because the water is heated on demand, you’ll never run out!
If you are thinking about making the switch to a tankless water heater, call Papalia today! We’re ready to help!