Tips to Increase Water Heater Efficiency During the Cold Season

Anyone who has experienced the cold winters in Australia knows how refreshing a warm shower can feel during such moments. Even using hot water to wash your hands goes a long way in taking the chill out of the days. However, in an attempt to enjoy the hot water for an extended period, most people end up scalding their skin.

Finding the right balance of hot water that's readily available to beat the cold comes down to the efficiency of your water heater. With the following tips, you should be able to maximize the heater's efficiency and performance and enjoy comfortably hot water throughout the cold season.

Keep the Heater Protected

An essential requirement in accessing hot water during the cold season is ensuring that the hot water system is protected. You will want to locate the heater and find out the ambient temperature around it. If the temperature is too low, this is a sign that you should insulate the area around the heater to improve its performance and efficiency. Install door graft guards, plug up drafty cracks, and re-insulate the windows and walls around the area. Also, insulate the conduit pipes that deliver hot water to various parts of the home to keep the water hot as it reaches its destination

Invest in a Thermal Blanket

Most of the new heaters on the market today come with additional surrounding insulation. However, if you have an older model that's not insulated, you should invest in a thermal blanket. This is an insulation blanket that's specially designed for use on water heaters. It wraps around the heater and protects it from heat loss during the winter. You can find a thermal heater in a local home improvement store with instructions on how to use it.

Install a Timer

The cold season is hard on various systems in the home, and the last thing you need is a hot water system that's running throughout the day and night. With the cold temperatures, this can take a toll on the heater, reduce its efficiency, or even cause it to malfunction. Installing a timer on your electric heater is a great way of ensuring that the system shuts off when it is not in use. You can set it to start running an hour before the first person wakes up in the morning and an hour after the house is empty. This will not only prolong the heater's lifespan but also save energy costs in the home.


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