How to Save Energy When Using Water Heaters
The world is going green, and with good reason – we desperately need to use our energy resources more wisely to avoid destroying our planet. And today, fortunately, using a greener source of energy will also translate into more green for your pocket through the cash savings you will enjoy. Therefore, you should not shy away from seeking efficient energy sources based on the fear that you will have to dig deeper into your pocket – as far as water heating efficiency goes, you can have your cake and still eat it, so to speak.
1. Drain Your Tank
If you still have a tank-type water heater, you should drain it every once in a while to get rid of the sediment that settles at the bottom. This will increase your energy efficiency because such deposits result in hampered heat transfer, which means you will end up wasting a lot of energy and probably not getting the hot water you need from such a system.
2. Cover your Heated Pool
Yes, this might sound like an extra hustle you would rather avoid, but it will give you worthwhile power savings. If you are no longer using your pool, cover it to reduce the amount of heat the water loses, and this will reduce the energy your heater consumes in order to keep the water hot.
3. Go Tankless
Older version water heaters have been proven to be ruthless power hogs that waste up to more than half the energy they get. And yet, we have tankless water heaters whose power efficiency can go well past 70%. Therefore, if you want to save the greatest amount of energy while heating the water your family needs, start looking for the best electric tankless water heater you can find.
4. Have a Drain Water Heat Recovery System
Believe it or not, up to 90% of the energy you spend heating your water goes to waste as the hot water drains away. That is shocking; and also quite a revelation for someone who wants to do something about the energy they spend on heating water. A good solution to this problem is having your house outfitted with a drain water waste heat recovery system; which recycles the heat in the water so that your heater does not have the full responsibility of supplying the water. Such systems have been reported to improve energy efficiency by up to 30%. So, you can imagine what they can do for someone who has an energy efficient tankless water heater.
5. Get an Energy Start Certified Water Heater
The heating appliances industry knows how rampant energy inefficiencies in this sector. That is why they have come up with standards to determine just how efficient the appliance you are buying is to ensure you get a product that saves you more energy. Efficiencies among water heaters often reach double-digit percentage points. Therefore, you should try to get a water heater with a high rating to ensure that it saves you more energy as you heat the water in your home.
6. Use Less Hot Water
Sounds obvious , right? But it might be a little trickier to implement than you would think. For instance, changing your showering routine in order to save power might feel like torture. But fortunately, there are things you can do so that you enjoy the hot water in your home and still reduce the amount you spend heating it up. For instance, you can use a low-flow shower head. Secondly, you don’t have to use hot water all through when washing your utensils or clothes, it will just waste hot water and your time as well. Also, if you can spend less time in the shower, that will work to your benefit by ensuring you have less energy costs.
Conclusion
Saving energy as you use water heaters is easier than most people think. In most cases, it should not even cost you a dime; all you need is to change your hot water usage habits and that will translate into significant energy savings. Above are some ways you can save energy – and money – as you use water heaters.