Heating water accounts for large percentage of the energy used in most homes. According to the Department of Energy, between 14% and 25% of residential energy consumption is due to heating water. Energy efficient water heating can make a big difference in your energy bill while helping to conserve the environment.
For many homeowners, replacing their storage type water heater with a demand type water heating system is the best, most energy efficient water heating alternative. Depending on the amount of hot water used in the home and the type of demand system installed, tankless water heating systems can save as much as 50% on water heating energy costs.
However, tankless water heating systems are not for everyone. They are expensive to install and they have a few drawbacks, especially in homes that rely on electricity for water heating. If you don’t want to install a tankless water heating system, there are still some great ways to save energy with a standard storage type water heater.
Selecting an energy efficient water heater can make a big difference in your energy consumption. Well insulated energy efficient water heaters waste less energy due to standby heat loss and are more efficient than standard models. On an electric water heater, you may consider installing a timer to take advantage of lower electricity rates during off-peak hours.
Installing an insulation blanket can help reduce standby heat loss in older water heaters that lack adequate insulation. Heat traps installed in the water inlet and outlet lines also reduce energy loss by preventing unwanted hot water flow out of the tank. In addition, reducing the temperature setting and installing low flow showerheads and faucets can lower energy usage for water heating.
