Water Heaters, Repairs, Installations, and Replacements

Water heating is the second biggest energy consumer in the average home, second only to space heating. Any measures that can be taken to improve the efficiency of your New York hot water heater, or force you to use less hot water are definitely worth your time and money. In general, water heating energy savers are inexpensive and unlike many space heating conservation measures, those used in relation to plumbing are effective all year round. Today’s best hot water heaters are far more energy efficient that those even a few short years ago. But there are other measures you can take to conserve.

If it’s time to replace your water heater, call us at 800-339-6533 for more information. We service Orange, Ulster, Dutchess, Greene and Columbia counties.

Lower the Water Heater Thermostat

Your New York water heater is one of the biggest energy wasters in your house or business. That is why one of the often-repeated ways to save on energy costs has to deal directly with your water heater or tankless water heater. Since the water from your NY water heater is used primarily for keeping yourself and your belongings clean, there is no need for you to use water that is heated to 150 degrees Fahrenheit or above. However, most elements on electric water heaters are pre-set to at least 150 degrees. Not only is this dangerous, but it is also a waste of energy and money. We recommend you reset your electric water heater to 120 degrees.

To do this, first turn off the power to the water heater (most power sources are located at a master fuse box). Next, remove the cover plate that conceals the lower thermostat. This will reveal a covering of insulation. Behind the insulation is the thermostat. Locate a seam in the insulation and pull it back. This will reveal a protective covering over the thermostat. Remove the protective covering and adjust the temperature on the thermostat to120 degrees by turning the screw with a screwdriver. Repeat the procedure for the upper element on the water heater. Replace the cover plates and turn the electricity back on.

The setting of a gas fired water heater is a little more complex. This kind of water heater only has one element and the temperature control is in plain sight on the outside of the unit. However, the temperature dial is not calibrated for degree settings. Usually it is labeled with something like Low, Normal, Extra Hot. In order to get the proper setting, use a cooking thermometer and determine the present temperature of the water. From here, it is simply a game if hit and miss until you find either the 120 or 140 degrees mark. This could take a lot of patience and even a couple of days to get right, but will be worth your trouble. The Department of Energy says that lowering the setting just 10 degrees will save 6% of the energy used in heating your hot water, and if the setting is reduced to 120 or 140 degrees, you could save 18% more!

Should you happen to run into a hitch in resetting your system, or would prefer to have a professional technician do it for you, call us at 800-339-6533 to set up an appointment.

Drain Your Water Heater

Another way to save with your water heater is by draining it on a regular basis. Unless you have soft water, it is important to drain a couple of gallons of water from the bottom of your water heater at least two times a year. This is because hard water deposits can collect on the bottom of your water-heating unit, surround the heating element and reduce efficiency. This amounts to a layer of insulation around the element, which forces it to work harder to heat the water. However, by simply draining a couple of gallons, you will wash out any deposits and allow your water heater to operate more efficiently.

Water Heater Timer

Have you ever considered the idea that you are paying to keep the water in the tank at a high temperature all night long? You will be able to save a great deal by investing in a timer for your water heater. Since most of today’s water heaters are of the fast recovery type, and since the water in the tank will retain most of its heat through the night anyway, set the timer to turn the electric water heater off, somewhere around the time you normally go to bed. Then set it to come on again between a half hour and an hour before you get up. This should give the water heater enough time to bring the water temperature back the few degrees it will need to reach its normal temperature. Installation of the timer is straightforward, and it will pay for itself in a relatively short period of time.

Insulate the Whole Heater

An additional way to save with the water heater is by insulating the entire heater. There are two ways to accomplish this energy saving performance. You can purchase the fiberglass blanket insulation and some duct tape and insulate the unit on your own, or you can buy a retrofit kit. Both will work about the same, although, in the end, the kit will probably look more pleasing to the eye.

If you have an electric unit, insulating your water heater will pay for itself in about one year. If it is a gas unit, it will take two or three years. It is a one-time investment and studies have shown that the insulation will outlive the water heater and can be used again if you need to replace your present unit later on.

If your water heater is gas fired, the Department of Energy recommends that you use the kit. This is only a recommendation and you can insulate your unit without the kit if you don’t insulate the top or bottom of the heater. In insulating a gas fired water heater, it is crucial to keep the air intake ports at the bottom of the unit clear of insulation, and keep the exhaust flue at the top clear as well. The extra insulation added to a gas fired or electrical water heater will serve to help keep water warm as well as for longer periods of time.