Break out the hot cocoa and earmuffs …winter is coming! Read on to learn our winter home energy savings tips.
With the change in weather comes unwanted increases in costs to keep warm in the cold season.
Here are a few savings tips to prepare and winterize your home and water heater for the most efficient and cost-effective heat possible:
- Double and triple-check your water heater’s performance. Water heaters contribute over 20% to your energy bill and you want to make sure you get hotta for your dolla!
- Make those tough, end-of-the-year decisions early! If you have been thinking about replacing your old water heater, act early and get tax rebates for installing an Energy Star unit. Check with your local energy provider to see what rebates are currently available and what the water heater energy factor is needed to qualify.
You may even see your bills go down buy up to 10% IMMEDIATELY! - Limit drafts into your home from the outside doors with weather stripping and you can use some fun solutions like “draft dodgers” for the bottom of your door- check out our Pinterest page for some great ideas on draft dodgers! Draft Dodgers on Pinterest
- Soap with the water off! Shorter showers will reduce your water heating bill dramatically. Get wet and turn that water off! When it’s time to rinse, your hot water will be waiting for you!
- Parents give the best energy savings tips. They always tell you to put on a jacket on a cold day, so why shouldn’t it be the same for your water heater? If you have an electric water heater, pamper your unit and wrap an insulated jacket around your electric water heater to retain more than 10% of lost heat.
- As long as you are getting dressed…why not put on some gloves and a hat? If you dress your water pipes coming out from your water heater with insulation, you’ll keep the heat in! Take the time to insulate with fitted foam the first 3 to 6 feet of water pipes coming from your heater. You’ll be glad you did and it’s part of the California plumbing code when water heaters are located in unconditioned spaces. If you have a new water heater installed by Water Heaters Only, Inc, we provide the insulation on the pipes as part of our install.
- Clean your gutters. If the water can flow, it won’t build up and eventually freeze, turning your home into an ice block. Clean and operable gutter systems also carry rainwater away from the home and help protect the foundation.
- Drain your water heater. By flushing sediment out of the drain valve at the bottom of your water heater, you are keeping your water heater functioning at its optimum level! Safety Tip: Be careful because the water can be scalding hot! If you need help on how to drain your water heater, feel free to give us a call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (510) 839-0414.
These have been just a few of our top winter home energy-saving tips. If you would like to chat with one of our professionals, feel free to give us a call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (510) 839-0414 and one of our water heater experts will be happy to answer any questions you may have and they can even set up an appointment to have one of our technicians come out and take a look at your water heater.