Winter is almost here, which means the holidays are just around the corner. This is a time of year when your household’s energy needs go up, resulting in an increase in your monthly energy bill. With that said, one of the biggest sources of energy consumption in the home is your water heater. To protect your unit and your wallet, follow these four tips to keep your water heater efficient in the winter.

1. Insulate Water Heater and Pipes

Cold air can make your water heater lose heat faster, causing your unit to consume more energy to maintain its temperature. To prevent this, insulate your water heater’s tank and pipes. Insulation for water heaters is relatively affordable and widely available in many hardware stores, as well as online.

2. Lower Water Heater Temperature

Modern water heaters can heat water to temperatures as high as 160°F, which is excessively hot for most needs. To minimize unnecessary energy consumption, consider lowering the thermostat to around 120°F. This supplies the hot water you need for showering, dishwashing, and doing laundry while saving you money on your electricity bill.

3. Drain the Tank

Every time water flows into your water heater, the tank collects small deposits of sediment and minerals. Eventually, this buildup will cause your water heater to work harder and slower, requiring more energy to maintain the same level of performance. In this case, the easiest way to keep your unit efficient is to drain the tank at least once a year.

To drain the tank, first turn off your unit’s water and power supplies. Then, attach a hose to the drain valve and put the other end of the hose in a safe drainage area outside of your home. Turn on a hot water faucet somewhere in your house to relieve the pressure in your pipes and activate the drain valve to let the water out. For more information on how to drain your specific model, consult your owner’s manual.

4. Replace Old or Inefficient Water Heaters

Like many appliances, water heaters lose efficiency with age. Not only do they require more energy to function, but they’re also more prone to failure. Instead of paying for constant repairs, it’s usually more economical to purchase a new water heater.

Contact an Expert

Make these easy adjustments to your water heater to avoid unpleasant surprises on your next energy bill. Then, make sure your water heater is ready for the holidays with a professional inspection. For water heater repair and servicing in Central GA and the FL Panhandle area, contact We Care Heating & Air Conditioning.