Conservation and energy-savings are on everyone’s mind. Take steps to make your home more energy efficient with no absence of comfort, starting with your water heater.

Here are a few things to consider when it comes to water heater efficiency:

• Be sure to regularly maintain your water heater. Water heater maintenance is no joke. In fact, water heaters eat up as much as 20% of total home energy consumption. In keeping your house as energy-efficient as possible, do not overlook this power-guzzling piece of equipment when trying to conserve.
• Consider a tankless water heater. Storing hot water for later use is the number one reason for high electric bills from storage tank hot water heaters. Compare this to leaving a pan of water simmering on your stove just in case you need it. Tankless, or on-demand units, provide the same hot water only when it is needed and at a fraction of the cost.
• Alternatively, consider a solar water heater. Solar hot water heaters use an alternative means of power to heat the water in a water heater tank. If you have ever thought about trying solar power as a way to conserve energy, start with having a solar-powered water heater system installed. Not only will your energy consumption be reduced, but this could help to familiarize you with the benefits of solar power extending to a whole house unit.
• A heat pump water heater may be right for you. A heat pump water heater works by moving heat from one place to another. This prevents storing large quantities of hot water for later use. By pulling heat from the air, your water heater can be up to three times more efficient than a conventional storage water heater.
• Make sure your water heater is the proper size for your needs. If you are single and have a 90-gallon hot water heater, you might as well leave a window open during the winter. You are paying to store hot water that will never be used. A 45 to 60-gallon sized water heater is more than sufficient for one or two people living in a household.
• Have your pipes inspected for leaks. Many people are using even more hot water by being unaware of a leaky pipe. Pipes may also be exposed to drafts, forcing hot water to travel through freezing pipes. While you may think that it just takes a long time for the hot water to make the journey, they could be warming up your pipes along the way.

Need water heater services in the Boise area?
Call (208) 505-9352 today for quick and effective services from Wickstrom Plumbing Heating & Cooling., the plumbing & heating professionals.