Shrink Your Power Bills By Using Energy Conservation Equipment For Water Heaters
Electric Temperature Controls
If you have an electric heater, you can install a device
that allows the water heater to shut down operation while
no one is home or everyone is asleep. This will reduce
heat loss. Your utility company or a plumber can help you
install this device.
Heat Traps
Several heat traps may be installed on the water lines in
the house. Ball valves may be installed on the cold and
hot lines directly above the water heater. These valves
will physically block heat inside the pipes and tank from
escaping up and out of the water heater. The ball valves
do cause some slight flow restriction though that may be
noticeable during high volumes of water use. Another way to
create a heat trap is to take your flex connectors at the
top of the water heater and bend them into an inverted U
shape if at all possible. Heat cannot travel past the top
of the U.
Low-Flow Showerheads
Attaching these to your showerhead simply uses less water
and in turn less heat. It's as simple as that. Low-flow
aerators can be attached to sink faucets as well. A very
effective way to save energy and money.
Pipe Insulation
Insulating the hot lines will save heat as well.
Closed-cell foam can be wrapped around the pipes and makes
the job go very quickly. Insulation blankets can be used
also. Get thicker blankets rather than thinner ones.
Different types of pipe require different size insulation
too. Copper and galvanized pipes have different
thicknesses even though they both say 1 inch. Don't forget
to wrap the cold pipes three inches away from the water
heater too. Do not, however, cover unions or fittings and
ends of pipes with insulation. Any leaks will be more
severe if insulation is covering these spots. Never cover
the draft diverter directly above gas water heaters. This
could cause the insulation to catch on fire. Different
insulations come with different self-adhesives. It does
not matter much which type you use. If you need to tape
the insulation though, use gas wrap tape, which looks like
electrical tape with writing on it. Avoid using duct tape
since it will wear out faster. Use scissors to cut the
tape and insulation if necessary. Finally, plastic ties
are another way of holding insulation to pipes as well.
Recirculating Systems
Recirculating loops can be installed by any water heater
manufacturer. These are very efficient but expensive to
install.
Vent Dampers
For gas heaters only, a vent damper is a metal flap just
above the heater. Either a motor or actual heat is used to
open the vent flap. The vent will never be all the way
shut at any time just in case of unexpected heat going up
the draft diverter. It is unknown how effective these
devices are, but they seem to work better for indoor water
heaters.
Water Heater Blankets
This idea is best used for water heaters that are outdoors
or in naturally warm rooms. Purchase insulation that has a
ranking of at least R-11. The energy saved will be
substantial compared with lighter insulation such as R-6.
Wrap the entire water heater around and cut holes for all
the fittings such as the T&P valve, cold lines if any gas
burner housing on gas water heaters or electrical elements
on electrical water heaters. Note that leaks on the water
heater will be difficult to see if the water heater is
covered in a blanket and rusting is more of a problem.
However, the energy savings from this idea make it worth
the risk. Periodically check for wetness underneath the
blanket after installing it.
----------------------------------------------------
Check out http://www.waterheater-info.com or contact
johnnyhayneser@gmail.com for contact information on solar
water heaters (they're the ultimate in energy efficiency),
tankless water heaters (they save you money on your energy
bill), traditional tank-type water heaters (they're the
cheapest and easiest to install), water heater repair and
maintenance, brand information (there's a lot out there and
looking from site to site is time-consuming), warranty
information and which installer to hire...
If you have an electric heater, you can install a device
that allows the water heater to shut down operation while
no one is home or everyone is asleep. This will reduce
heat loss. Your utility company or a plumber can help you
install this device.
Heat Traps
Several heat traps may be installed on the water lines in
the house. Ball valves may be installed on the cold and
hot lines directly above the water heater. These valves
will physically block heat inside the pipes and tank from
escaping up and out of the water heater. The ball valves
do cause some slight flow restriction though that may be
noticeable during high volumes of water use. Another way to
create a heat trap is to take your flex connectors at the
top of the water heater and bend them into an inverted U
shape if at all possible. Heat cannot travel past the top
of the U.
Low-Flow Showerheads
Attaching these to your showerhead simply uses less water
and in turn less heat. It's as simple as that. Low-flow
aerators can be attached to sink faucets as well. A very
effective way to save energy and money.
Pipe Insulation
Insulating the hot lines will save heat as well.
Closed-cell foam can be wrapped around the pipes and makes
the job go very quickly. Insulation blankets can be used
also. Get thicker blankets rather than thinner ones.
Different types of pipe require different size insulation
too. Copper and galvanized pipes have different
thicknesses even though they both say 1 inch. Don't forget
to wrap the cold pipes three inches away from the water
heater too. Do not, however, cover unions or fittings and
ends of pipes with insulation. Any leaks will be more
severe if insulation is covering these spots. Never cover
the draft diverter directly above gas water heaters. This
could cause the insulation to catch on fire. Different
insulations come with different self-adhesives. It does
not matter much which type you use. If you need to tape
the insulation though, use gas wrap tape, which looks like
electrical tape with writing on it. Avoid using duct tape
since it will wear out faster. Use scissors to cut the
tape and insulation if necessary. Finally, plastic ties
are another way of holding insulation to pipes as well.
Recirculating Systems
Recirculating loops can be installed by any water heater
manufacturer. These are very efficient but expensive to
install.
Vent Dampers
For gas heaters only, a vent damper is a metal flap just
above the heater. Either a motor or actual heat is used to
open the vent flap. The vent will never be all the way
shut at any time just in case of unexpected heat going up
the draft diverter. It is unknown how effective these
devices are, but they seem to work better for indoor water
heaters.
Water Heater Blankets
This idea is best used for water heaters that are outdoors
or in naturally warm rooms. Purchase insulation that has a
ranking of at least R-11. The energy saved will be
substantial compared with lighter insulation such as R-6.
Wrap the entire water heater around and cut holes for all
the fittings such as the T&P valve, cold lines if any gas
burner housing on gas water heaters or electrical elements
on electrical water heaters. Note that leaks on the water
heater will be difficult to see if the water heater is
covered in a blanket and rusting is more of a problem.
However, the energy savings from this idea make it worth
the risk. Periodically check for wetness underneath the
blanket after installing it.
----------------------------------------------------
Check out http://www.waterheater-info.com or contact
johnnyhayneser@gmail.com for contact information on solar
water heaters (they're the ultimate in energy efficiency),
tankless water heaters (they save you money on your energy
bill), traditional tank-type water heaters (they're the
cheapest and easiest to install), water heater repair and
maintenance, brand information (there's a lot out there and
looking from site to site is time-consuming), warranty
information and which installer to hire...
posted by Hugh Harris-Evans at 2:23 AM
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