If you have a conventional storage type water heater, you can save money and energy by installing heat traps on your water heating system. According to the Department of Energy, installing heat traps on the inlet and outlet pipes of your water heater can save between $15 and $30 per month.
Convective energy loss is one of the biggest energy wasters with conventional water heaters. Heat traps save energy by reducing convective heat loss through the inlet and outlet pipes. They allow water to flow into the tank but prevent unwanted hot water flow out of the tank through the inlet and outlet pipes.
A pair of heat traps only costs around $30 plus labor. Heat traps are installed in the water inlet and outlet pipes of your water heater and installation requires having the skill and equipment to solder the pipe joints. Some handy homeowners may have the ability to install the heat traps themselves, but most of us will be better off having them installed by a qualified plumbing contractor.
In either case, you can recover the cost of the heat traps within the first month or two of operation and enjoy energy savings for years to come. If you are installing a new conventional water heater, check to see if the water heater comes equipped with heat traps. Many new conventional tank-type water heaters are equipped with heat traps, but if not your plumbing contractor can easily install heat traps at the same time the water heater is installed.
