Heating and Cooling

Should you keep your old water heater or buy a new model to save energy?

Most people are unaware that hot water heaters are a major source of energy waste in old homes. Most homes (especially older homes) are usually equipped with outdated water heaters that use far more energy than a newer, more efficient one. But if you’re hesitating about investing in a new water heater, there are still some things that you can do to reduce energy waste and save money.

1. Turn your temperature on your hot water heater down!

There are two problems associated with having your hot water heater turned up so high that it almost burns you (besides almost burning you). One problem is immediate – the extra amount of money you are spending on your utility bill every single month that you could save just by turning down your water heater just a couple of degrees. The other problem is not immediate but will cost you money down the road – the higher the temperature you choose for your hot water, the faster the heating elements in your hot water heater will burn out which will force you to replace it.

2. Insulate your hot water heater!

Placing an insulating blanket around your hot water heater is a great way to save money and it requires very little work. This energy saving method is especially appropriate for older hot water heaters that do not have the built-in insulation of modern water heaters. Insulating blankets are available in most hardware stores, and are relatively cheap (you shouldn’t have to spend more than about $20). The purpose of the blanket is simple: to hold heat inside the heater longer than it would stay there on its own.

IF YOU’RE READY TO INVEST IN A NEW, ENERGY-EFFICIENT WATER HEATER…

Following the above energy saving advice might be quick, easy and cheap, but there comes a time when replacement makes the most sense. Hot water tank replacement is not nearly as expensive as most people think, and the savings on your utility bill will be immediate (not to mention that it is good for the environment).

When you call Four Seasons for a free estimate on a new hot water heater, one of our Home Comfort Specialists will help you determine which type of water heater best fits your needs. We offer all types of hot water heaters. Most consumers don’t know much about (or even haven’t heard of) tankless hot water heaters, which combine efficiency with compact size. Our Home Comfort Specialists would be happy to tell you all about them. If you happen to be a believer in traditional water heater tanks, we have those too! In either case, you should always go with a water heater that runs on natural gas when it is an option. Natural gas is far cheaper than electric.

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5. Peoples Gas Chicagoland Natural Gas Savings Program Extended

Tags: Boiler, energy savings, Four Seasons, save money, water heater

This entry was posted on Saturday, July 31st, 2010 at 3:33 pm and is filed under Boiler, Heating, Informational, Savings. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.