If you have a traditional water heater that relies on a storage tank, it’s constantly using electricity. The tank fills with water and uses electricity to keep it hot. Find out more about how having access to hot water can increase your utility bills.
The Numbers Might Surprise You
You may be surprised to know that your water heater can be one of the top three energy consumers in your home. For an average family of four, hot water can account for as much as 20% of energy costs, which is more than a refrigerator, dryer, and washing machine. If multiple people in the home use hot water back-to-back, then the heater must reheat the water rapidly, which will cause it to burn through a lot more energy. According to an Energy Information Administration (EIA) study, water heaters, on average, use more than twice as much energy as air conditioners.
Tank vs. Tankless: A Real Difference
Unlike traditional models, tankless water heaters run only when you need hot water. This means that they are not working hard to keep water hot on standby. They will use quite a bit of energy when it comes time to heat water since they must do this quickly; however, their overall power usage is considerably less.
How Age and Maintenance Matter
Newer water heaters are far more efficient than their older counterparts. One reason this is the case is that sediment accumulates in the tank over time. This buildup occurs quickly when you have hard water. The more buildup you have, the harder your tank must work to give you hot water.
Scheduling yearly maintenance can prevent this problem since plumbers can flush all the sediment out of the tank. They can also turn down the thermostat to a more manageable temperature, as many water heaters are set higher than necessary.
Should You Be Concerned?
If you notice that your energy costs are going up exponentially, even though your habits have not changed, your water heater may be the reason. Just to be sure, you can contact a professional plumber to come and provide an inspection. They will check over your unit thoroughly to make sure all components are functioning at peak performance. If they do realize something is wrong, they will help you craft a plan to fix it.
If it has been a while since you have scheduled water heater maintenance in Yuma, AZ, call our team at PHD Plumbing.