Maintaining your water heater regularly not only helps extend its lifespan but also saves energy, thereby, lowering your electric bills. That said, this is how you should maintain your water heater to conserve energy in your home.
Four Ways to Maintain Your Water Heater to Save Energy
1. Remove Sediments Inside Your Tank
You do not have to live in an area with hard water to be worried about minerals and other sediments in your water heater. In fact, according to water heater manufacturers, you should drain the tank of your water heater once annually to get rid of all the sediments. The reason for doing this is to keep your water heater running efficiently. An efficient water heater saves energy since it heats water within the expected time. This, in turn, can help lower your home’s electric bills.
2. Install a Volt Timer
A water heater that works constantly even when everyone is asleep is not good news for a homeowner. As with everything else, a water heater working nonstop usually has its lifespan cut short. When you install a volt timer, you will be greatly extending the lifespan of your water heater.
That’s not all. Maintaining your water heater by installing a volt timer can also help you save energy. You see, the average household stays asleep for almost one-third of the day, and no one needs warm or hot water during this period. A simple volt timer turns off your water heater at night, thereby, saving energy.
3. Insulate Your Water Pipes and Tank
Insulating your water tank and pipes is another way to maintain your water heater and save energy in the process. More energy than expected is lost through the tank and piping of your water heater. To prevent your water heater from becoming inefficient, it helps to have the pipes and tank insulated.
This prevents heat from being lost as the water that has just been heated moves from the appliance to where it is needed. Insulating your water heater’s pipes and tank is a relatively simple task. All you need are insulation blankets, which can significantly help save energy. If you are not sure how to exactly go about it, you can contact your local plumber.
4. Set Your Water Heater at 120 Degrees Fahrenheit
This is the optimal temperature for your water heater. Given that many water heaters come from the factory set at 140 degrees Fahrenheit, you will be doing your appliance a great favor when you set it to heat water up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit instead.
This temperature is not just sanitary and comfortable, but it also prevents your water heater from overworking, and that helps extend its lifespan. Another important thing to note is that setting your water heater at 120 degrees Fahrenheit helps to save energy by cutting short the time needed to heat water.
To sum up, water heater manufacturers always encourage homeowners to maintain their water heaters. That both extends the lifespan of the equipment and increases its efficiency. Energy and hard-earned dollars are saved when efficiency is increased. Call us at Freedom Flow in Scranton, PA today to help you maintain your water heater and save energy.