When the sun is blazing, and you’re already spending a fortune on air conditioning, the last thing you want is for your water heater to waste extra money. Many people assume that their water heater works the same way all year. The truth is that summer offers a great chance to change your settings and save some cash. Since the water coming into your house from the ground is naturally warmer during July than it is in January, your tank doesn’t have to work nearly as hard to get that water up to a comfortable temperature. If you keep your settings exactly where they were during the winter, you’re essentially throwing money away every time the burner kicks on. Take a look at your unit and see where you can lower your energy use.

Lowering the Dial for Summer Comfort

Most manufacturers set water heater thermostats to 140 degrees right out of the box. However, that’s actually much hotter than you ever need for a shower or for washing dishes. If you turn that dial down to 120 degrees, you will significantly reduce the amount of energy the tank uses just to keep that water sitting there ready for you. Lowering the temperature by just 20 degrees can save you a surprising amount on your utility bill without making your morning shower feel any less relaxing.

Insulating Your Pipes and Tank

Even when the air outside is hot, the pipes carrying your hot water can still lose a lot of energy. By wrapping your hot water pipes in foam sleeves, you keep that heat inside the pipe where it belongs. This means the water stays hot for much longer as it moves toward your faucet. If you have an older water heater that feels warm to the touch, you might also consider adding an insulation blanket to the outside of the tank. This prevents standby heat loss. When you keep the heat trapped inside the system, the heater doesn’t have to turn on as frequently. This keeps your energy meter from spinning so fast.

Flushing Out the Energy Wasters

Over the course of a year, tiny pieces of sediment and minerals can settle at the bottom of your tank and create a layer of crusty gunk. This layer prevents the burner from heating the water quickly. So, the system has to stay on for much longer than it should. If you hear a weird knocking or bubbling sound when the water is heating up, that’s a clear sign that your heater is struggling to work through that pile of sediment. You can fix this by having a professional flush the tank for you. Clearing out this debris allows the heater to work directly on the water again. This makes the whole process much faster and much cheaper for you.

Boosting your water heater’s efficiency pays off every time you open your utility bill. Lowering the temperature dial, wrapping your pipes, and clearing out that pesky sediment make it much easier to have hot water without wasting energy. If you live in Mesa, AZ or a surrounding area and need water heater services, make your first call to The Plumber AZ.