Day 29 - 31 Days to a Greener, Healthier Life

Day 29 - Insulate your water heater.

What:  Utility bills can give us headaches, and water heating typically accounts for about 13% of our utility bills! Keeping water above 120 degrees is a waste for most households, as well as a risk that someone could accidentally get a scalding. If you find yourself routinely need to mix cold water with the hot for a shower or to wash dishes, the temperature is probably set too high.

The fastest and easiest way to cut your utility bills is to simply turn down the temperature setting on the water heater. The hotter the water, the faster it loses heat to the surrounding air. For a small investment, you can significantly reduce the amount of heat lost by the unit, particularly if your water heater is located in an unheated area. Inexpensive insulating blanket kits for water heaters are available in stores nowadays -- take your pick, learn how to use them today!

Why:   Americans spend $15 billion a year to heat water, and simple measures could save about two-thirds of that cost! You can cut the amount of fuel you use to heat the water by insulating your water heater with a simple jacket. Unless your water heater's storage tank already has a high R-value of insulation (at least R-24), adding insulation to it can reduce standby heat losses by 25%-45%. This will save you around 4%-9% in water heating costs!  Insulating your water heater could improve hot-water efficiency, and help you save on energy and utility bills.

How: 

• Find out your water heater tank's R-value. (Insulation is rated in terms of thermal resistance, called R-value, which indicates the resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating effectiveness.) To do so, put your hand near it. If you feel very little warmth, touch it.  A tank that's warm to the touch needs additional insulation.
• Clean up your water heater tank. Clear away any items stored around the heater and wash the top of it well. If the heater is strapped to prevent toppling in an earthquake, remove the strapping before you insulate.  
• Measure your water heater. Use a metal tape measure to determine how tall and how big around the heater is. Add about 3 inches to the heater's "waist" measurement. This extra should allow you to fasten the blanket around the heater without compressing it.
• Depending upon your water heater, you may need to cut around certain components or valves. Feel around for these components, then use a razor or scalpel to cut around this area to expose the components.
• Use duct tape or reflective tape to tape around the seams to secure the blanket on the bottom, as well as tape a small ledge onto the top of the tank.

TIP:  Never insulate the top of a gas water heater. However, if yours is electric, you can insulate its top. Measure the diameter of the top, then cut a circle of insulation blanket that's a few inches larger than your measurement. Cut slots in the circle so you can slide it past the pipes and electrical cable. Make sure you do not to cover the relief valve. Tape up any slits, and you'll have a completely wrapped heater!