How to Insulate Your Hot Water Tank

For most of us, our hot water tank sits in the basement, utility room or garage, quietly keeping 40 or 50 gallons of water hot and ready to use. However, keeping that water warm all the time, particularly when it only gets used sporadically throughout the day, uses up a lot of energy and costs money. Here's how you can save money on your water heating bill, by turning down your tank's temperature and insulating your tank.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Water heater insulation kit (available at home stores)
• Foam water pipe insulation or insulating pipe wrap/tape
• Tape measure
• Utility knife or large sharp scissors
• Gloves
• Dust mask
• Long sleeved shirt

1. Start by clearing the area around your water tank (so you'll have room to move), then clean the outside of the tank, particularly the top.

2. Measure the height and circumference of your tank and use your utility knife to cut the water heater insulation kit roughly to size. Allow an extra 3 or 4 inches to the distance around the water tank to be sure you have enough coverage.

3. Test fit the blanket and mark where the ends of the blanket overlap.

4. Cut away the fiberglass insulation where the blankets overlap right out to the end of the blanket, from top to bottom. Don't cut through the plastic backing-you'll use this flap to overlap and secure the blanket later.

5. Wrap the blanket around the water heater and use short strips of tape to hold it in place.

6. Use your scissors to cut openings, so you have access to the water tank controls. On an electric tank, cut a three-sided flap that can be moved up out of the way to reach the controls. On a gas tank, you need to remove the insulation around the controls. Cut slots in the blanket, so you have access to the drain valve and pressure relief valve as well.

7. On electric tanks, you can insulate the top of the tank, as well as use a piece of the leftover insulating blanket. NEVER insulate the top of a gas-fired hot water tank.

8. Finish insulating your hot water tank using strips of tape to fasten the blanket onto the top of the tank and seal the entire length of the overlap seam.

9. Use either preformed foam water pipe insulation or insulating pipe wrap tape to cover the first 10 to 12 feet of the hot water line running out of your tank.

Tips & Warnings

• Water heater blankets/wraps are available at home stores and usually come in complete kits with tape and instructions.

• Consider turning down the temperature on your tank. If you have to mix cool water with the hot when you're showering or washing dishes, you can probably turn your water tank's thermostat down. Lowering the temperature even a few degrees will save you money over time.

• Ensure you never block the flue or air intake on a gas water heater.

• Don't use a regular blanket or insulation not designed to be used specifically with a water heater.