Save Energy and Money through Modifying Water Heater Temperature
Changing your water heater temperature settings can help you cut back on your energy consumption and consequently, your utility expenses. Water heaters consume the highest amount of electricity compared to other appliances in your home and if truth be told, you can be spending up to $400 a year just because of your water heater alone.
Because of this, manufacturers are coming up with products that can minimize the energy consumed by water heaters. There are water heater timers and insulating materials that are both effective in cutting back energy consumption. Then again, if you do not want to spend for such, you can always apply simple and easy to implement changes to your water heater temperature setting.
How does this work?
If you set your water heater thermostat at a low setting, you can actually be saving significant amounts of energy. As a matter of fact, you could be saving up to 5% of energy just by reducing 10 degrees Fahrenheit from your current water heater temperature.
Did you know?
Some manufacturers calibrate water heater thermostats at 140 degrees Fahrenheit even when the average household only requires a water heater temperature setting of 120 degrees Fahrenheit. If you lower your temperature setting by 20 degrees Fahrenheit, you can be saving up to 10% of energy. Using 140 degrees Fahrenheit as your temperature setting can also pose some serious risks and hazards, such as scalding.
Lowering your water temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit can also delay the process of corrosion and mineral buildup in your water heater and pipes. This contributes in making your water heater last longer and function at its optimal efficiency.
How do I operate the thermostat?
Water heater manuals contain instructions that will guide you in maneuvering the thermostat. For a gas storage water heater, the thermostat dial is located near the bottom of the tank of the gas valve. For electric water heaters, the thermostat dial is usually behind screw-on plates or panels. As a precaution, always shut off electricity to your water heater before attempting to remove the plates, to prevent you from getting electrocuted. Also remember that an electric water heater may have two thermostats - one for each upper and lower heating elements.
After you have pinpointed the location of your thermostat, you can adjust it to a lower setting. Make sure to note down the beginning and adjusted temperature for future reference. You can then proceed to verifying if the temperature has indeed dropped by checking the temperature of the water from the tap farthest from your water heater. You may have to perform a number of adjustments to get the exact temperature you want since most thermostat dials are inexact.
Various Tips on Using Your Water Heater
Before setting off for a vacation, make sure to set the thermostat to the lowest temperature or completely shut off your water heater. You can do this by switching off the circuit breaker to it.
If you are using a dishwasher without a booster heater, a temperature within the range of 130-140 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended for effective cleaning.
As a whole, if you want to cut back on electricity costs, but you're not ready to invest in water heater timers and insulating materials, you can do so by simply lowering down the water heater temperature setting.
Article Source: http://www.search-raven.com
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