In lowering the utility bills fight, especially in winter when the water heater is considered a blessing in disguise, trying to cut costs with your water heating bill can be difficult and impossible to do. But, in truth, it is extremely easy and practicable. Water heating accounts for about 18% of your home’s energy use (even more during winters). Reducing your hot water use, choosing an efficient water heater, and adopting an energy-saving plan of action for your home, can help reduce your monthly water heating bills this winter. Usually, the water heater that exists in most homes is a conventional storage-type water heater that works constantly to keep the water hot and ready whenever required. Since the water is being stored, it naturally cools down in the tank, a process known as “standby heat loss” and the water heater has to kick start again to heat the same water for it become hot and usable. This process of heating and re-heating takes up lots of energy and you’re stuck to pay a stiff water heating bill.

Water heating bills can get extremely expensive to put up with, but there are a few simple solutions that will help you keep your water heating bill and expenses marked down, especially this winter. Follow these three essential tips if you want to keep your water heating bill low:

LOWER TEMPERATURE OF WATER HEATER

Most water heating manufacturers set the water heater thermostats to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, the truth is that most households generally require the temperature to be set down to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, which does not only reduce your energy but also slows corrosion and mineral buildup in the water heater and plumbing. If you’re set at 140 degrees Fahrenheit, you’re encouraging the added risk of scalding and unwanted mineral buildup in your tank and pipes. By turning down the tank’s temperature, you’re saving 3% to 5% on your bill with every 10 degrees. Lowering your water heater temperature at or even lower than 120 degrees Fahrenheit can be beneficial for you as the water is still adequately hot and you won’t even feel any difference in the water temperature as opposed to when you set it to 140 degrees.

How to lower your water heater temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit?

• To measure the temperature of the water before altering it, use a thermometer as they’re concise and unlike a thermostat that is often inaccurate. Measure the temperature of the hot water at the faucet farthest away from the water heater.
• Mark the noted temperature on your thermostat and then turn down the thermostat to what you want it to be, that is 120 degrees Fahrenheit and wait for at least 2 hours before you note the temperature again with a thermometer. After a few rounds of testing, once you hit the correct temperature that is required, mark it on your thermostat and you’re good to go.
• Sometimes, water heaters don’t have a numbered gauge, to get 120 degrees put it midway between low and medium marks. Keep testing the temperature with a thermometer until you hit your target temperature.

INSULATE YOUR WATER HEAT PIPES

Insulating your hot water pipes can reduce heat loss and can quickly raise the water temperature by 2 degrees to 4 degrees Fahrenheit. You won’t notice such a difference if your pipes aren’t insulated thus, not allowing you to lower your water temperature settings and reduce heat loss. Sometimes, the distance traveled by pipes is long so they’re exposed to very cold air (in which case they should be insulated to reduce freezing). You can insulate your hot water pipes by contacting our professionals who provide plumbing and heating services in Bergen County & Passaic County, New Jersey. Whether you want insulation for your current home or on a new construction of a home, we provide excellent water heater installation, water heater replacement and water heater repair services and our technicians are experienced and skilled in getting your hot water pipes insulated, after proper consultation and investigation, and ready for winter.

While you can get in touch with us to insulate your pipes for water heater repair, you can even insulate the pipes yourself.

• Determine the type of insulation material you want to use, the length of the pipes, and the correct size of the pipes. You can begin at the water heater, start by measuring the lengths of insulation required to cover all existing hot water pipes (up to 3 feet of pipes from the water heater).
• Alter the insulation or “pipe sleeve” as per the lengths required.
• Place the insulation or “pipe sleeve” face down on the pipe.
• You can use either tape, wire or a cable tie to secure the insulation to the pipe.

For conventional water heater repair, the insulation is made with polyethylene or neoprene foam, and for gas water heater repair, the insulation is commonly made with fiberglass pipe-wrap with either wire or aluminum securing.

INSULATE YOUR WATER HEATER

Most newer models of water heaters have already been insulated to cut costs for water heating bills, especially during winters. To ensure that your water heater tank is insulated, look on its label to see if it has an R-value of at least 24. If not, then you should think about insulating it. And if you have an older hot water tank, chances are it’s not insulated. Insulating your water heater is an easy way to improve its energy efficiency. Considering insulting water heater tanks can reduce standby heat losses by 25% to 45% and secure you with 4% to 9% in water heating costs. Before you start weighing your options down to insulating your water heater by yourself or contact a professional and emergency heating repair service company, like us, to insulate your water heater,you need to perform a basic pre-insulation check-up to your water heater to ensure that it isn’t leaking and also to make note of the kind of insulation you require. We provide all such examinations and determine the best insulation requirements for your water heater, quickly and efficiently.

The process to insulate your water heater is extremely simple.

• Measure the body of the water heater, excluding the vent on top, and wrap the blanket around the water heater and place the tape to secure the holding. Use a marker to mark the areas where controls are so that you can cut them out.
• After the insulation is installed, don’t increase the water heater temperature above 130 degrees Fahrenheit as the insulating jacket may overheat.

Apart from these three essential tips, you can cut water heating costs by draining any water sediments build-up in water heating tanks, and seal any air leaks in and around window frames and doors of your bathroom to reduce cold air from entering your house.