Energy-Saving Water Heater Insulation Blanket
Low-Cost Retrofit is Easy to Install, Can Reduce Heat Loss 25-45%
Sep 10, 2008
With energy costs at an all-time high, this simple retrofit can produce significant savings in both money and energy use. You can buy a water heater blanket for less than $25 at a hardware store or home improvement center. It takes just a few minutes to install with a craft knife and a roll of duct tape.
25-45% Reduction in Heat Loss, 4-9% Annual Savings in Water Heating Costs
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, "adding insulation to a water heater can reduce standby heat losses by 25-45%, unless your water heater’s storage tank is already insulated to at least R-24. The reduced heat loss will save you around 4%–9% in water heating costs.”
How a Tank-Style Hot Water Heater Works
Your hot water heater uses electricity, natural gas, or oil to heat a tank of water to a preset temperature (generally about 140 degrees Farenheit or 60 degrees Celsius.) As hot water gets used, new cold water comes into the tank to replace it. The heater burns fuel to heat the water back to the preset temperature. Tank-style heaters use energy even when no one in your household is using hot water. This is because heat is constantly escaping to the colder air outside the tank. The water heater runs periodically, day and night, to counteract the ongoing heat loss.
Give Your Hot Water Heater the Touch Test
Not every tank-style water heater needs more insulation. In fact, some newer models specifically direct owners not to add more insulation. You don’t have to dig through drawers looking for your user manual, though. To find out whether your heater could benefit from more insulation, just touch it. A tank that's warm to the touch needs more insulation.
Higher R-Values are Better
If you decide to install a blanket, choose one with an insulating value of at least R-8. (The higher the R-value, the more energy-efficient the insulation.) Check with your local utility to see if there are any special deals or rebates available for insulating your water heater.
How to Install a Water Heater Blanket
If your water heater is electric, you can add extra insulation in just a few minutes, by following these instructions from the Energy Department. If you have a gas or oil heater, the presence of an open flame makes installation more difficult. The Energy Department recommends having a plumber do the work in those cases. The instructions for electric heaters also include a diagram showing how the blanket should look on a gas or oil heater once installed.
Why not go give your water heater the touch test right now? It’s really that easy to find out if you can save money and energy on your hot water usage.
Learn more about ways to conserve energy and save money around your house:
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