9 Ways to save with a water heater

✔ 1. Turn down thermostat. For each 10º reduction, save 3-5% operating cost. see how

✔ 2.Wrap water heater with insulation and save 4-9% operating cost. read1 US Dept of Energy suggests R-8 which equals 2-1/2" fiberglass insulation. Home centers sell ready-to-use blanket for $20. Payback less than 1 year.

Insulation tips: Do not obstruct TP valve. Leave access to drain.
Electric water heater: OK to insulate entire tank, except TP valve.  
Gas water heaters: NO insulation on top of tank -or- over draft air inlet -or- air intake opening -or- around gas control valve 

✔ 5. Turn off 2nd water heater. Save $40 a month right now.

✔ 6. Add switch to hot water circulation system. Thermostatically controlled Grundfos UP15-10SU7/TLC circulation pump uses 29 watts and costs modest $25 per year, but water heater also runs additional hours. Consider alternative circulation system that uses timer so hot water is scheduled see.

✔ 7. Hard water: flush tank every six-months or more. Build-up of calcium carbonate reduces heating efficiency, especially in gas water heaters. With electric heater, calcium carbonate can short out bottom element. See steps to clean tank. Frequent flushing plus a water heater timer could eliminate need for water softener.

✔ 8. Install a water heater timer if you can schedule hot water read1 read2. If you have old heater, start fresh: clean out tank, replace anode rod, lower thermostats, wrap heater with insulation, and install a timer.  Go next door and install a timer for your neighbor. See timers

✔ 9. Smaller tank. Next time you replace water heater, put in smaller tank. Save water heater manual. Anticipate that water heater lasts 6-12 years, see typical reference chart and plan ahead for most efficient unit read 1. Consider options read 2 Consider solar assisted read 3 Consider self-cleaning tanks. Dept of Energy efficiency information read 4  Consider heat-pump water heater read 5 Avoid hype: read side-by-side test for tankless read 6. Compare water heater innovations. Save old tank for solar project read 7

✔ 10. Electric water heater only: Set electric water heater on insulated surface to prevent heat loss through bottom of tank. For example, a 2x4 frame filled with insulation and covered with 3/4" plywood. Note: water weighs 8.34 pounds per gallon, so 40 gallon steel water heater filled with water weighs approx 410lbs. 80 gallon with water 670lbs.

✔ 11. Add heat traps to slow natural convection of heat upwards. Read1 Read2

✔ 12. Replace Anode rod every 1-3 years and increase life of water heater video read1 read2 Tanks that need frequent anode replacement might benefit from powered anode rod read.

✔ 14. Reduce consumption. Turn off hot water to washing machine <> Wash dishes by hand <> Install low-flow faucets and shower heads <> Fix leaks <> Don't run water continually when brushing teeth <> Don't turn on hot side when using cold water <> read 1 read 2

✔ 15. Staging tank  or tempering tank located in naturally warm location can preheat water before it flows into cold water side of water heater. Staging tank can be 20-60 gallon electric water heater that is not connected to electricity. See more   Read more

✔ 18. Water pressure. Pressure over 80 psi can damage water heater Read. Install pressure reducing valve. People with water well > turn down pressure on water well > save both hot and cold water, save electricity, and well equipment lasts longer.

✔ 19. Do it yourself repairs. Post your question on a pro water heater forum 1 2 3 4 5. Read product manual. Visit water heater manufacturer website for manuals see list of manufacturers/brands.

✔ 21. Efficiency-Hard-water-Water-softener. Storage-type Electric water heaters operate at 99% efficiency with or without water-softener, until sediment reaches bottom element. Full 99% efficiency can be restored to Electric storage heater by cleaning sediment out of tank. See how
Storage-type gas water heater operates at 69% efficiency. Tankless gas 79%. High-efficiency storage-type gas has 96% efficiency. All gas water heaters lose efficiency when hard water is not softened. Efficiency of gas water heaters cannot be fully restored by cleaning or de-liming. Hard water must be softened for gas water heater efficiency. However, soft-water is very corrosive to anode rod. When water-softener is used, anode rod needs inspection every 2 years. Read research pdf

✔ 22. Electrically ground water heater pipes on gas and electric water heaters. Water heaters that rust out quickly or need frequent anode rod replacement might be connected to water pipes that are not grounded. Hot water pipes are not grounded in many homes. Read Pdf To get 'rid of stray current corrosion, jumper between hot and cold pipes with #6 solid copper wire. And then check that cold water pipe is grounded to main panel or ground rod.' Read1  Read2

✔ 23. Protect electronics with surge protector. New high efficiency gas and electric water heaters have electronics, including digital controls. Also new electronic gas valves are connected to 115 V circuits. Read1 All electronics should be protected by surge protector. Read water heater manual to see if water heater has electronic parts. See new water heater innovations.

✔ 24. Exterior air inlet for gas water heaters. 1 Sq in per 1000 BTU. Gas heaters draw air into combustion chamber as gas burns and heat goes up vent pipe. Air enters house through cracks from outside and works against heat and air conditioning. Gas heaters designed for high-output and fast-recovery will draw more air than typical gas heater. Tankless gas heaters also draw more air as they consume large amounts of gas to heat water as it passes in pipe. Lack of sufficient air causes 'recirculation of combustion product.' Consult product manual. Read Pdf pg4

✔ 25. Protect gas water heater parts. Do not install cold water line above gas valve where condensation drips on valve. Annually clean burner area with wire brush and vacuum cleaner. Read Remove chemicals from same room as water heater. Chemicals corrode water heater parts. 'Spray propellants, cleaning solvents, refrigerants, swimming pool chemicals, calcium and sodium chloride, household bleach, waxes and process chemicals are corrosive at very low levels with no odor." Read Pdf pg2-8

✔ 26. Solar water heat is efficient use of solar energy. 
<>Hawaii requires all new homes to have solar water heaters. California offers incentives for solar installation read1. Michigan offers rebate read2. Congressional bill aims for 200,000 rooftop solar water heaters read3 Build inexpensive DIY 'batch' solar water heater read 4
<>Planning needed to make solar into net money & energy saver. See long list of DIY solar water heat ideas.

✔ 27. Geothermal ideas 1 2 3 4 5 6 7  Geothermal self-help forum

How much does it cost to run electric water heater? Example: 50-80 Gallon size 5500 Watt water heater turned on 3 hours a day 3 hours is approximate daily run-time for water heater [depending on usage and temperature of incoming water] 5500 Watts x 3 hours = 16,500 watt-hours or 16.5 Kwh per day For a full 30-day month <=> 30 days x 16.5 Kwh per day = 495 Kwh per month for water heater electricity Calculate cost <=> 495 Kwh x $.10 per Kwh = $49.50 + tax A water heater can add up Read more complete data See data charts Figure volts-amps-watts for your water heater