When it comes to energy efficiency, water heaters are villains. Most homes Colorado Springs have conventional storage tank water heaters. And these types of heaters want to have hot water ready to use at all times. This means heating water even when the homeowner isn’t using it. The following article contains information for homeowners wanting to trim their homes Colorado Springs utility bills.
Insulation is the first step to increasing the efficiency of a water heater. Many homes Colorado Springs have their water heaters located in unheated parts of the home. This means that the water heater is not only having to heat the water, but also fighting the outside heat as well. For this reason, homeowners may wish to purchase an insulating blanket to wrap around their heater, especially if the heater is an older model. These blankets help keep the cold air out and the heat inside the tank. Using an insulation blanket could save homeowners a great deal of money on wasted energy. Another great way to make a water heater work less is to also insulate any exposed water pipes. After all, any hot water pipes that are not contained within walls of homes Colorado Springs are not insulated. This means dramatic heat loss as the water reaches its destination. Most homeowners will run water from a faucet until they feel hot water. During this time, water is wasted and the water heater is working harder.
Next, homeowners should always maintain their water heaters. Most owners of homes Colorado Springs forget that the water heater even exists, let alone that it needs to be maintained. But water heater maintenance is an absolute necessity when trying to save money on utility bills. The first thing homeowners should do is measure the water temperature. The temperature should be set somewhere around 130 degrees. If the water temperature is less than this, there is a risk of bacteria growth inside the tank. Once the water heater is set at this temperature, homeowner should wait at least a day and then physically measure the temperature of the water exiting the faucet. If the temperature is different, homeowners may need to have their water heater inspected by a professional. Also, water heaters in homes Colorado Springs can collect sediment over time. This sediment will ultimately reduce the efficiency of the water heater. The lifespan of the water heater will also be decreased if sediment is allowed to accumulate within the tank. For optimum performance, homeowners should drain a small portion of the water in their tank a few times a year. This will ensure water heater only heats water instead of the sediment.
And finally, there are number of fixtures a homeowner can purchase to reduce water use in their homes Colorado Springs. These include low-flow faucets, toilets, and even a tankless water heater. Low flow fixtures provide the same water pressure as a normal fixture, but use a much smaller portion of water. And tankless water heaters are just like they sound. This type of heater heats the water as it flows through the device, effectively eliminating the time residents wait for hot water when using a standard tank style water heater. However, when these steps are followed, homeowners should see a dramatic drop in their annual homes Colorado Springs utility bills from both water and energy usage.
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