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Electric storage water heater

Lower Your Water Heater’s Energy Consumption Without Giving Up Comfort

The Department of Energy estimates that running a water heater accounts for nearly 20% of the average household’s annual energy usage. That’s a significant amount, and many households face high energy bills because they don’t take measures to reduce it.

Turn the Default Temperature Down

Many manufacturers ship their new water heaters with a default setting of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. The reason they do this is to eliminate all chances of potentially harmful bacteria in the water. The truth is that this is overkill for most people. Unless someone in the home is immunocompromised, the DOE recommends 125 degrees instead. At that lower temperature, a water heater will use less energy and last longer as well. The water is comfortable, and there’s no risk of scalding as there is at the default setting.

Take Advantage of Vacation Mode

When you’ll be away from home for 48 hours or more, you should activate your water heater’s vacation mode. This is a common feature in modern models, but older units may not have it. If yours doesn’t, simply turn the thermostat down to the lowest setting that it supports.

Benefit From Insulation

Water heaters can lose heat energy through the hot water pipe that runs from the unit to your home’s plumbing. Make sure that it’s appropriately insulated, check that insulation regularly, and replace it at the first signs of wear.

If you have a tank water heater, you should discuss installing additional insulation with your plumber, as some systems can benefit from it. Electric tank water heaters can lose heat through the tank walls, for instance, and a water heater jacket can prevent that. There are insulated bases available as well.

Schedule Annual Water Heater Maintenance

Perhaps the most common mistake homeowners make is taking a laissez faire approach to their water heaters, waiting until it shows signs of breaking down before calling a plumber. Just as with other major appliances, wear and tear accumulates over time. Left unchecked, it will decrease efficiency and likely shorten the system’s lifespan.

One of the issues with water heaters is that the calcium in the water turns into limescale. Limescale, along with sediment, builds up on heating elements and other equipment. If you have a tank water heater, you should have a plumber flush it at least once a year. Flushing the tank will remove all the scale, sediment, and other debris. Your plumber will also check the temperature pressure relief valve and the sacrificial anode rod and replace those parts as needed.

If you have an on-demand water heater, it requires descaling instead. This is where a plumber removes scale by running a vinegar-water solution through the system with a recirculating pump. A plumber must also clean or replace any air and water filters as needed.

If you’d like to schedule water heater service in Benicia, CA, contact Benicia Plumbing today.