A new water heater installation is the perfect time to focus on the energy efficiency of the appliance. Not only is it good for the environment to choose an efficient heater, but it can also save you hundreds of dollars over the life of the heater.

1. Insulate the Water Closet

Most home water heaters are placed inside a special closet or tucked away in the corner of a basement. These locations are often poorly insulated. Poor insulation means the water heater must use more energy to maintain the water temperature due to environmental heat loss. The ideal time to insulate the water closet is after the old hot water tank is removed and before the new heater is installed.

2. Select for Efficiency

Not all new water heaters are created equally, as some provide better efficiency than others. First and foremost, make sure the water heater you choose is sized correctly for your household, as an overly small or overly large heater will be less efficient than one that is sized just right for your needs. Then, check the Energy Star ratings for any heater you are considering, as this will provide guidance on exactly how efficient each model is.

3. Use a Heater Blanket

You can further increase efficiency and minimize heat loss by insulating the water heater itself. This is best done by your installer at the time of installation, as this is when the water heater is most easily accessible for proper fitting and securing of the insulation blanket. Much like insulating the water closet, a blanket provides another layer of heat retention and possible energy savings.

4. Wrap the Water Lines

An overlooked energy leak could be coming from the hot water supply lines that run from the water heater and to the rest of the house. Those that are exposed between the heater and where they enter into insulated walls are the main cause of energy loss from the supply lines. Simply wrapping these with pipe insulation can go a long way toward improving the energy efficiency of any new water heater.

5. Set a Maintenance Schedule

Good maintenance will ensure your water heater remains efficient. Issues like mineral buildup in the heater can reduce water capacity and result in longer water heating times, meaning more energy is used to heat the tank. Regular maintenance means flushing the tank to remove mineralization, along with other tasks. Consult with your technician at the time of installation to determine the best maintenance schedule for your new water heater.

Contact a water heater installation service to learn more efficiency tips. 

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