If your water
heater was manufactured before 2004, consider wrapping it with
an insulating blanket designed specifically for this purpose. Newer water
heaters don't need added insulation because the federal requirement for
tank insulation was updated and increased in 2004. Most water heaters
manufactured before then have less insulation which results
in standby heat loss and wasted energy.
Water
heating can account for as much as 17% of an average home's annual
energy use so installing an insulating blanket can pay off quickly. Some
manufacturers have specific guidelines for installing an insulating blanket, so
be sure to check the owner’s manual. Also please note on gas units, areas
not to cover include warning labels, the top of the unit, the pressure relief
valve, the control panel, and any bottom air inlets.
And
the last thought today on water heaters... it is a good idea to drain off a
bucket of hot water from your water heater annually to remove sediment that
will interfere with the heater's long-term use and efficiency. Speaking from
recent experience at home, this was something we did not know should be
done as preventative maintenance so we had to replace our water
heater after we found years of sediment effecting our hot water pressure and
ultimately damaging the unit.
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