Who doesn’t enjoy a nice hot shower? However, if your hot water system isn’t optimised for efficiency, it could be hiking up those energy bills.
Water heaters provide a reliable hot water supply for tasks like laundry, showers, and cleaning. But, they use more energy than most household systems, contributing to nearly 20% of your energy bill. If your electricity costs are rising without a new appliance, it’s worth checking your heater’s efficiency.
An inefficient water heater not only strains your finances but also increases greenhouse gas emissions. Thankfully, by adopting the right practices, you can boost the energy efficiency of your current hot water system.
So, in this article, we will walk you through a guide to improving your hot water system’s efficiency.
6 Ways To Maximise Energy Efficiency Of Hot Water Systems
1. Insulate Your Water Heater
When there’s poor insulation, the energy in hot water pipes and systems is often lost to the surroundings. The right hot water system will maintain the heat once the water inside reaches the correct temperature setting. However, if this heat is lost to the surroundings, you must rerun the water heater to get the desired temperature.
You should insulate your inefficient water heater, especially if you have a storage-type water heater. The hot water tank can quickly lose heat through convection, and you can reduce heat loss by creating an insulation layer around the tank. However, it would be best to be careful while insulating the heat pumps.
Moreover, insulating the heater is not enough - you must insulate hot water pipes too to prevent heat loss while the water is being transferred to the different outlets. This way, you can reduce the chances of getting cold water instead of the desired temperature. It can also help reduce water waste and lower your energy bills significantly.
2. Install Anti Convection Valves And Heat Traps
Heat traps are typically used in electric or gas storage water heaters to minimise heat loss when water flow is low. On the other hand, anti-convection valves specifically prevent energy loss by managing cold and hot air inlets.
Both methods help reduce what is known as ‘thermo-syphoning.’
3. Check The Water Heater Temperature
If the water heater is set at a very high temperature or the control thermostat malfunctions, it can increase the running costs and affect the flow rate. You can decrease energy usage by lowering the water temperature by just five degrees.
Never let the temperature exceed 65 degrees since that can severely affect the thermostat. If the thermostat is malfunctioning, replace it to prevent water overheating and high energy bills.
4. Drain The Sediment Build-Up
If the energy use of your water heater is hiking, there might be sediment build-up in the cold water pipes or heat pumps. This can happen when the water heater has been used for a long without draining the sediment. Instantaneous water heaters powered by your home’s electric system suffer the most damage from sediment build-up.
Over time, the sediments can form scales on the heating element, making water heating difficult for the system. To compensate for this, the hot water system will consume extra energy to heat the water.
An easy way to improve the water heater’s efficiency is by removing the scale build-up and flushing away the sediment formed in the water tank and other components. Check the drain valve to see if any sediment obstructs proper drainage.
5. Install Faucet And Low Flow Shower
Another method to boost your water heater’s efficiency is by controlling the water leaving the tank. Often, a lot is wasted through continuous shower and faucet flow, leading to long-term loss. Installing low-flow showers and taps can significantly cut down water and energy waste.
6. Regular Professional Maintenance
The leading reasons why your water heater has low energy efficiency may be negligence and lack of proper maintenance procedures. Most homeowners leave their hot water systems unattended after installing them, preventing them from resolving minor issues that lead to significant damage in the future.
Besides improving the water heater’s efficiency, scheduling frequent, professional maintenance check-ups and services will help increase the system’s longevity.
Achieve Maximum Energy Savings in Your Hot Water System!
Hot water systems are must-haves in Australian homes but can become burdensome without proper care. Implementing the discussed methods can make your heater more efficient, lightening your utility bills significantly.
Big Blue Plumbing is a full-service plumbing company that can tackle various issues related to gas systems, blocked drains, hot water systems, drainage, and more. With our expertise, quality products, and precise repair and installation methods, we can help you make your water heating system energy efficient.
