Check Your Water Heater's Temperature Setting - Save Energy and Money
Would you be shocked to hear that your water heater accounts for up to 20% of your total utility bill? The following suggestion is by far the easiest energy and money saving tip I can give you and the best part is, it won't cost you a dime.
Most renters and home owners alike don't realize they are wasting energy and throwing their money away by overheating water. The ideal setting for your water heater is about 120 degrees F, anything over that is not only wasting money but is potentially very dangerous especially if you have kids in the house. You can check and change this setting by simply looking on the water heater itself for the temperature dial. Now some water heaters have clear temperature settings labeled on the dial while other use a min – max dial. Most models with the ladder dial have an arrow showing you where the ideal setting should be. It has been my experience that you can go lower, sometimes much lower depending on your hot water needs.
It's important to note that the 120° setting is what the average household will need to cover all hot water needs, however 120° is still potentially dangerous and could cause 3rd degree burns in as little as 5 minutes. Consider testing an even lower temperature before settling on your ideal setting.
If you ever have to replace your water heater or just decide to upgrade to a more efficient model, be sure not to buy one that's too big. Bigger isn't always better and in this case, going too big will only cost you more money and waste energy. Also look into a tankless model which is much more efficient because it only heats water as needed. You can also consider wrapping your existing water heater with an insulated blanket to slow heat loss and increase efficiency. This is especially effective on older outdated water heaters which generally aren't insulated well.
Most renters and home owners alike don't realize they are wasting energy and throwing their money away by overheating water. The ideal setting for your water heater is about 120 degrees F, anything over that is not only wasting money but is potentially very dangerous especially if you have kids in the house. You can check and change this setting by simply looking on the water heater itself for the temperature dial. Now some water heaters have clear temperature settings labeled on the dial while other use a min – max dial. Most models with the ladder dial have an arrow showing you where the ideal setting should be. It has been my experience that you can go lower, sometimes much lower depending on your hot water needs.
It's important to note that the 120° setting is what the average household will need to cover all hot water needs, however 120° is still potentially dangerous and could cause 3rd degree burns in as little as 5 minutes. Consider testing an even lower temperature before settling on your ideal setting.
If you ever have to replace your water heater or just decide to upgrade to a more efficient model, be sure not to buy one that's too big. Bigger isn't always better and in this case, going too big will only cost you more money and waste energy. Also look into a tankless model which is much more efficient because it only heats water as needed. You can also consider wrapping your existing water heater with an insulated blanket to slow heat loss and increase efficiency. This is especially effective on older outdated water heaters which generally aren't insulated well.