During the winter, many HVAC companies offer lists of ways that homeowners can save money through the cold weather. You might not think that you would be able to get similar sort of advice from a plumbing company, but when it comes to your water heater, there are ways you can cut down on your bill. After all, the water heater accounts for 18% of all energy used in a house—by far the most of any single appliance.
Adjusting the Water Heater for Winter
There is a simple step that you can take with a water heater that will mean significant savings over the coming months. Find the control panel for the water heater (which is called the aquastat) and turn down the temperature setting. The standard setting during the year and the default for most water heaters is 140°F. Lower it to 120°F, which is usually marked as the “warm” setting. This will help reduce heating bills during the winter, and it won’t have an appreciable effect on comfort—in fact, it can even help prevent accidental scalding. Return the water heater to its standard temperature setting when spring comes around again.
You May Need to Repair or Replace Your Water Heater
In some cases, you may need to take more drastic steps with your water heater other than just lowering its operating temperature. If the water heater has shown any signs over summer or fall that it’s malfunctioning, arrange for repairs as soon as you can with professionals. And if your water heater is more than 15 years old, it’s time to put in a new one. We strongly recommend installing a tankless water heater, which will make a tremendous improvement in your energy costs.
If you need help with your water heater, or you have any plumbing needs this winter, just call on Mallick Plumbing & Heating. We serve Chevy Chase, MD, and the surrounding areas.