Saving Energy with your Water Heater Blanket

Are you looking for ways to save energy with your water heater? Tankless water heaters can save you energy, but can often require construction to retrofit in an existing home. If you keep your traditional water heater there are several things you can do to help conserve energy.

When on vacation, make sure you set the heater to the ‘vacation’ setting, which keeps the water much cooler without shutting it off. Electric timers can be used for electric water heaters, but not for natural gas water heaters. These timers turn off the heating element on a schedule, but turn it on in time to heat the water when you need it. If your water heater is in a basement, it will save energy by protecting it from the extreme cold temperatures that are experienced in attics and garages in the winter time. However, changing location of a water heater can be expensive and require plumbing and drywall work. If your gas or electric water heater is in a poorly insulated environment or is warm to the touch (indicating heat is escaping from the tank), you can save energy and money by covering your heater with a water heater blanket. This puts an insulated sleeve around the tank to make it easier to maintain the temperature when the room it is in is cooler. Make sure you read your water heater’s instructions before purchasing a water heater blanket, as some tanks are not compatible with these blankets.