Typically, the average family in the United States goes through about 70 gallons of hot water every single day. That accounts for bathing, washing up, and all the water used in various appliances, such as dishwashers and washing machines. All things considered, it’s easy to see why hot water accounts for about 20 percent of a home’s monthly energy bills.
If you are looking for ways to lighten the load and save a little bit of money, there are several things you can do that will help.
Here are a few great tips you can put into action today:
Using less hot water is the simplest way to slash your energy bills. Consider some of these statistics about hot water use and easy ways to use less.
The bulk of your hot water’s heat is lost during transfer. This happens either in the storage tank or in the pipes coming from it, generally in the first six feet of pipe. Insulating these areas will help.
Check where your thermostat is set. Most will default to 130˚ F or even higher, but 120˚˚is usually more than enough for most of your needs. If you’re unsure, follow manufacturer recommendations for proper water temperature.
Today’s propane water heaters are known for their efficiency. Both conventional tank models, as well as tankless water heaters, are great ways to ensure plenty of hot water for your needs at a reasonable cost.
Although tankless propane water heaters have a higher upfront cost, the money you save over the long-term will more than compensate for it. Read on to learn more about how these innovative systems work.
If we asked you to describe a water heater, you might say it looks a lot like a giant tin can. Of course, what you would be describing is the storage tank for the water heater. The unit that heats the water is just a small burner, located at the bottom of the tank. That, along with some parts inside the tank itself, is more correctly what the hot water heater is – or, at least, what many of us know it to be.
But what if we told you that not all hot water heaters need to store hot water?
It’s true. Some hot water heaters simply heat water on-demand, accessing water directly from a water pipe. Such units are called tankless water heaters. Generally fueled by propane, a tankless water heater is a great way to lower your energy bills and make the process of heating water much more efficient in the process.
Additionally, they take up such a small space that you will actually be able to reclaim all that square footage your old water heater was taking up. Most tankless units hang on a wall and are about the size of a small suitcase and, maybe best of all, they will last about twice as long as a standard storage tank water heater.
Your old tank water heater heats water and stores it for when you need it. This is not an ideal situation as the tank will definitely lose heat over time, especially if the hot water tank is located in an unheated space.
Now, consider a tankless hot water heater: when you turn on your hot water faucets or an appliance, water is circulated through a heat exchanger and delivered on-demand. Your energy efficiency will improve up to 40 percent and you’ll have access to unlimited amounts of hot water – because you won’t have to worry about the tank draining and having to refill and reheat.
Are you thinking about replacing your water heater? Are you wondering if a propane tankless heater is the right choice for you? Don’t wait until your existing water heater fails to see how you can benefit from a high-efficiency propane water heater! Reach out to your local propane provider today for expert advice.
You can also fill out this brief questionnaire to find out which type of water heater may be best for your Arizona home.