How to Improve the Efficiency of Your Gas Water Heater

Whether you use propane or natural gas, increasing the efficiency of your gas hot water heater will lower your energy bill and reduce your household's negative impact on the environment. According to estimates from the Brave New Leaf blog, the simple suggestions listed here may increase your water heater's efficiency by as much as 25 percent. This could result in significant savings when you consider that you use hot water every day throughout the entire year. Does this Spark an idea?

Things You'll Need

• Gas water heater jacket
• Water heater and pump owner's manuals

Instructions

How to Increase the Efficiency of Your Gas Water Heater

1. Turn the temperature on the hot water heater down. The Brave New Leaf eco-friendly blog states that 120 degrees Fahrenheit is the recommended temperature setting for optimum efficiency on most hot water heaters.

2. Adjust the timer on your hot water pumping system so that hot water isn't being circulated (and thereby cooled) when it is not needed.

3. Place a hot water jacket around the hot water heater to help keep it and its contents warm. Make sure the jacket is appropriate for a gas hot water heater. Using the wrong kind of jacket can create a fire hazard.

4. Wash your laundry in cold water. Sheets, diapers and grease-stained clothes are the only items that you need to wash in hot water.

5. Empty and clean your hot water tank once a year.

6. Consider replacing your traditional hot water heater with a more efficient, tankless unit.

References

• Brave New Leaf
• AOL Real Estate
• Frugally Green