Ways to Save on Your Water Heater Bill

For every ten degrees you turn down your water heater’s thermostat, you can expect to save about 4% on your bill. While most water heaters come preset at 140 degrees, The U.S. Department of Energy recommends most households lower it to 120 degrees (which should still be high enough for your needs).

Water heater tanks build up sediment, which reduces efficiency as your tank is forced to work harder. Most manufacturers recommend you perform this basic water heater maintenance every six months or at least annually. Please refer to the manufacturer's installation manual for details on maintaining your specific model.

If you have an older tank, installing an insulation blanket is a simple and cheap way to reduce costs. Consider this especially if your tank is located in an unheated area. You can also insulate the first few feet of water pipe that comes from your water heater, so your water loses less heat as it makes its way to you.

Standard tank water heaters usually last between 8-10 years (although we have seen a few customers with water heaters that were 20+ years old). If yours is reaching the end of its life, consider replacing it. Tankless water heaters cost considerably less to run and maintain, and they supply endless hot water.