What’s the temperature of your hot water tank’s water?  Go Look.  We often don’t.  Most homes water heaters are set at 140 degrees.  Was yours?  The tank is always working, and is the 2nd largest energy-user in our [...]]]> Let’s Go Green!  Check your water tank!  In our homes, water heaters use up about 20% of the energy we use.

What’s the temperature of your hot water tank’s water?  Go Look.  We often don’t.  Most homes water heaters are set at 140 degrees.  Was yours?  The tank is always working, and is the 2nd largest energy-user in our homes.

If your tank is set at 140, it’s hotter than necessary.  Not only does that waste energy by overheating water, but adds to heat loss in the tank and shortens its life.  For every 10 degrees you turn down your water heater, you save 6% of the energy used.

However, since bacteria that causes Legionnaire’s Disease can live in hot water heaters, turn your water heater down to 130.  That is hot enough to kill bacteria and still save energy.

Simple Solutions:

1. Set your water heater on 130F, hot enought to kill bacteria and still be energy-saving.  Most modern heaters have the “energy conservation” setting.  There are also the style that is no tank required, heating the water in the pipes as you use it.
2. Insulate your water heater with a pre-fb “blanket, making sure not to block off the air vents.  This step’s important if it’s in an unheated space.  You can save 7-8% of the energy you’ve been using.
3. Every 2 months, drain about 2 quarts of water from the valve faucet located at the bottom of the tank.  This helps prevent acc7umulation of sediment and improves efficiency and life of the heater.

Note:  The #1 Authority on water heaters