Everyday Tips

• Set the temperature so that water at the tap is 120°F degrees (usually between the low and medium setting).
• Install high-efficiency showerheads and sink aerators to cut down on the amount of hot water needed throughout your home. Older showerheads often use 4 to 5 gallons per minute, while newer ones range from 1.5 to 2.5 gallons per minute. You’ll save water and energy!
• Insulate your water heater with a hot water heater blanket if your water heater is warm to the touch. Be sure to follow the instructions, leaving thermostats and valves accessible.
• If your water heater is located in a place that is not heated in the winter, insulate both the hot and cold pipes connected to your water heater. Insulating the hot line reduces heat loss and helps deliver hot water more efficiently. Insulating the cold line prevents condensation and keeps the incoming water cooler, reducing the amount of energy your water heater needs to warm it up.
• If you’re going on vacation, either turn down the water heater or turn it off altogether to save electricity while you’re gone. If you turn it off, it will take a few hours hours to reheat once you turn it back on.

Maintenance

• Promptly repair leaky faucets. If you have a hot water leak, it’s costing you money in water and energy.
• Every six to 12 months, drain a small bucket of water from the valve at the bottom of your water heater to flush out sediment that can reduce efficiency. Follow your manufacturer’s instructions, and open a hot water faucet while draining to help stir and remove sediment. Remember to turn off the faucet when you’re done.

Selecting/Installing

• Consider a heat pump water heater. These electric water heaters are twice as efficient as standard electric water heaters.
• Consider cost of ownership when buying a water heater. The EnergyGuide label includes an estimated annual operating cost. Models that cost less to purchase often cost more to operate over the life of the product.
• A water heater typically has a life span of 10 to 15 years. Consider asking a plumber about the useful life left in your water heater and replace it before it breaks rather than as a result of an untimely failure. If you plan ahead, you are more likely to get the right water heater for your needs. Follow the manufacturer’s guidance to periodically change the anode rod to increase the life of the tank.