An inefficient water heater can be a source of great inconvenience and financial burden, as it not only disrupts your daily routine but also results in increased energy expenses. It is common for many homeowners and businesses to unknowingly face high energy bills due to the inefficiency of their water heaters. However, by enlisting the services of a reliable plumbing company, you can ensure that your water heater operates efficiently and avoid unnecessary energy costs.
Here are a few ways a plumbing company can improve your water heater’s efficiency.
Installing Tank Insulation
Water heaters heat and store water in the storage tank before distributing it to the rest of the house. The faster the tank loses heat, the more frequently the heater turns on to ensure the water remains at the required temperature.
Storage tank insulation helps prevent this heat loss, so the water heater doesn’t overwork. A plumbing company can help install insulation for your storage tank and save you a bundle in spending on energy bills. You can take it up a notch and insulate the pipes and radiator for even more efficiency.
Flushing the Water Tank
Sediment accumulates at the bottom of your water tank with prolonged water heater use. While it’s normal for your water tank to have some sediment, too much of it compromises your heater’s efficiency. The sediment forms an insulating layer, making it harder for the heater to heat water in the tank efficiently.
Flushing the tank involves completely emptying the tank, including the sediment deposits. As a rule of thumb, ensure you flush your water at least once every year. However, if you use hard water, you should consider doing so twice yearly. A plumbing company can help flush your storage tank to eliminate all the sediment.
Installing Heat Traps
A heat trap is a special valve that allows cold water into the water heater tank and prevents hot water from going out. These valves contain balls that float or sink with the convective movement of water. The ball floats to open up the valve and sinks to close it.
This prevents the unnecessary mixing of cold and hot water so you can retain hot water for longer. This reduces the water-heating frequency and saves a lot of energy. Most modern heaters come with heat traps pre-installed. You’ll need the expertise of a plumbing company to install them if your heater is over ten years old.
Installing a Tankless Water Heater
As the name suggests, a tankless water heater is a water heater without a storage tank. This water heater is more efficient than its tank counterpart since they don’t store water. These heaters produce hot water on demand and eliminate heat loss associated with storage in the water tank.
A plumbing company can recommend and install an efficient tankless water heater that consumes less energy than your current heater. It would interest you to know that tankless water heaters are 24% to 34% more efficient than water heaters with tanks. While tankless water heaters are more expensive, the money they save in the long term more than makes up for the upfront costs.
If you don’t want a tankless water heater, replace your current one with a newer version of the same model. Water heaters over ten years old are highly inefficient and waste a lot of money. You can save a lot of money in the long run by replacing your old water heater with a new one, tanked or tankless.
Replacing the Thermostat
A faulty thermostat is the number one culprit for inexplicably high energy bills. Thermostats stop the electricity supply to the heating elements once the water reaches the required temperature. Heaters with malfunctioning thermostats heat water beyond the required temperature, leading to a lot of wasted energy.
Your thermostat may be the one to blame for the sudden spike in your energy spending. Hire a plumbing company to check and even replace your thermostat if need be with a more efficient one. You can also get a smart thermostat and use your smartphone to adjust the water temperature to your liking from wherever you are.
Installing a Timer
A traditional water heater runs continuously even when you don’t need them to. A timer turns the heater on and off at specific times to save energy. For instance, you can set it to automatically turn off the heater at night to save energy and turn it back on in the morning. This will ensure your water heater is more efficient and improves its longevity.
Repairing Leaky Fixtures
While electricity is the first thing that crosses most people’s minds when they hear about water heater efficiency, an inefficient water heater also wastes a lot of water. Call a plumbing company to inspect all your water heater fixtures for leaks leading to water wastage. These fixtures include pipes, shower heads, and faucets, among others.
Remember, a single leaky faucet that drips every second wastes about 3,000 gallons of water in a year. This wastage not only adds to your water bill but is also detrimental to the environment. By repairing your faucets and other leaky fixtures, you can save loads on your water bill and promote a more sustainable environment.
Replacing Your Energy-Efficient Appliances
Aside from optimizing your water heater’s efficiency, a reputable plumber may also suggest energy-efficient appliances. Older versions of washing machines and dishwashers are highly inefficient and use too much water. Modern versions of these appliances use less water and energy and could lower your energy spending.
A knowledgeable plumber will likely recommend washing machines and dishwashers with the Energy Star label. Energy Star was established to reduce greenhouse emissions and environmental pollution by promoting energy-efficient products with environmentally-friendly manufacturing processes. The badge symbolizes that the appliance is energy efficient and meets stringent energy efficiency standards recommended by the government.
Get an Efficient Water Heating System Today
It’s normal for your water heater to become more inefficient over time due to wear and tear. A reputable plumbing company can ensure your water heater operates efficiently for much longer. Contact Tioga Plumbing & Electric today to get the most out of your water heater system.
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