Does your water heater belong in an antique shop or museum? It's old but still functions - why replace it! But how much energy are you loosing but holding on?
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A professional energy audit is helpful, but expensive. Our multi-part series on how to perform your own energy audit will save you money on the audit and on your monthly energy bills.
An old water heater may still be pumping out warm water and if it ain't broke, don't fix it. But is it costing you more money every month than it needs to be? Water heaters more than 10 years old are usually lined with fiberglass insulation and tend to be less effective vs the foam used today. If the water heater is cold, it's working harder to keep your water warm.
How to identify an old water heater: Check the manufacturer's date. There should be a sticker or metal plate on the unit that will tell you exactly how old it is. Next, touch it. If you can feel the warmth from inside the tank, there is not enough insulation.
How to correct: Put a coat on it! Wrap the tank in a precut blanket with an insulating value of at least an R-8. Take it a step further and fit foam sleeves or insulating tape around the pipes. Hot water looses some warmth as it travels through the lines and cold water pipes cause condensation which leads to mold and mildew in your basement.
Adding a blanket to your water heater can save up to 9% on water heating costs alone. That plus saving up to 10% on your annual energy costs with IDT Energy really adds up!
Check out the other posts in our DIY Energy Audit seris: Drafty Window and Fireplace Energy Sucker for more helpful tips. Plus go to the IDT Energy Facebook page for energy saving tips and tricks.
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