Tips on Reducing the Hot Water Unit Expenses
The hot water unit is an essential module in the residential plumbing system. It delivers heated water conveniently through important outlets in the bathroom, the kitchen as well as the laundry room. Regrettably, there are significant expenses that are associated with the hot water system. In simple terms, the energy required to supply the heated water often translates to large utility bills. If you are concerned about your current heating expenses, consider using these simple tips to make savings.
Install an Efficient Unit
There are diverse hot water units in the appliance market to consider installing in your home. If you are interested in long-term energy and monetary savings, you should replace your old water heater with a modern alternative. The initial cost of purchase and installation will be relatively high but you can recoup the costs through lower energy demands. Remember, older heaters were fabricated before the concerns regarding energy-efficiency were significant, so limiting their power expenses will be difficult.
You can identify suitable heaters by looking at their Energy Star rating. This is a system which uses star markings to indicate the efficiency level of appliances. Ideally, the more the stars on the water heater's label, the higher the efficiency. In addition, you can choose between gas and electric hot water units depending on preference and availability of the power source. You should note that this should be a long-term plan because the more efficient appliances are more expensive to buy.
Reduce Water Usage
You can reduce the energy demands and expenses significantly by reducing the hot water usage in your property. This is an ideal savings plan if you have installed an energy efficient unit but are still concerned about the power bills. In addition, the strategy can also help you reduce the cumulative monthly water costs.
For example, you could install a modern low-flow shower head to reduce wastage of water in the bathroom. You should also avoid taking baths frequently because they demand more water. Take note of any leaky faucets, high-flow taps and irresponsible water flow in your home and make changes. Additionally, laundry machines can also contribute to high heating costs. You should wash your clothes with cold water because the results are equally satisfactory.
Insulate the Tank
Hot water storage tanks do not contribute to high energy losses. However, you can make some small savings by insulating the tank structure and the pipes conveying the hot water. The thermal insulation will prevent heat loss, limiting the need for constant reheating to maintain the pre-set temperatures.