Will Lowering Hot Water Temperature Save on Energy?

Your hot water heater can contribute a sizable amount to your energy bills each month. Tank water heaters keep dozens of gallons of water hot and ready for use, but this comes at a price. One way to reduce the energy used by your water heater is to lower the temperature setting. However, it is not the only way to lower your hot water bill. Here are some tips for reducing the cost of hot water in your home.

Reset the Water Temperature

You can set the water temperature on tank water heaters, which can reduce energy use. An efficient setting is 120 degrees. This is hot enough to kill bacteria yet takes less energy to maintain.

Use Less Hot Water

Simply using less hot water is a good way to reduce your energy costs. Shortening showers, using cold water for laundry and not running hot water down the drain can all help reduce the amount of hot water used and decrease energy bills.

Use Insulation

An insulating blanket over a hot water tank can help reduce heat loss. This can be helpful when trying to conserve energy.

Hot Water Heater Maintenance

Like most appliances, hot water heaters work more efficiently when they are maintained. Flushing once a year and replacing components when needed can help reduce energy use. Keep in mind that water heaters that are 10+ years old are most likely less efficient than newer models. Replacement can help with lowering energy bills.

By keeping the water temperature setting lower and following these tips, you can see a difference on your hot water energy costs. Talk to your local plumber about scheduling routine water heater maintenance or explore replacing your old heater with a new, efficient model.

Posted on behalf of:
Seagraves Plumbing Sewer & Septic
4980 Plant Atkinson Rd SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
(494) 792-2221

Causes of Rusty Water

Have you noticed a change in your water? Even if your water looks clear, if you have started to notice brown or orange stains on your sinks and tub or dingy clothing, you may have rust in your water. Although many people with well water fight with rust issues, if this is a new problem, it may be coming from inside your home. To find the cause or source of the issue, you may need to investigate your plumbing fixtures. 

If the rust is not coming from your water source, it is being added somewhere along the way. This is usually from one of two places: your water heater or your plumbing pipes. There are a few ways to determine which is the cause. The easiest is to start with your water heater.

Most water heaters last between 10-15 years, sometimes more. It is common for lime and minerals to collect within the tank, which can cause rust. To stop this corrosion, it is recommended that water heaters undergo annual maintenance to flush out these collected minerals. Draining the tank and having your water heater inspected by a professional plumber is the easiest way to determine whether your rusty water is being caused by your water heater.

If the water heater is not to blame, most likely you have an old pipe that is rusting, emitting rust into your water supply. Your local plumber can help you find any pipes that may need to be replaced to remedy the issue.

Water filtration and softeners can reduce rust in your water, but they won’t fix the problem if the rust is coming from inside your home. Schedule an appointment with your trusted plumber to get the rust problem resolved for good.

Posted on behalf of:
Kiddco Plumbing Inc
Sterling, VA
(703) 435-4441