Insulate Your Hot Water Tank for Maximum Efficiency

Do you feel that your water heater is hotter than it should be? A hot outer surface of water heater is a clear sign that it is wasting power. This can be prevented by insulating your hot water tank. Insulating hot water tanks saves 4%-9% of water heating bills. Modern tanks are generally pre-insulated but, the older tanks have an outdated insulation that requires an external blanket jacket. Choose a tank blanket with the R-value of 11 or more. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

Insulating hot water tank is an inexpensive and easy DIY project. Follow these easy steps to insulate it and start saving money.

• Tank blanket kits are easily available in the market. These kits contain a blanket finished with white vinyl on the outside and raw insulating material on the inside, and vinyl tapes to secure the blanket. Purchase one based on your water heater tank size. 
• Turn off the main power supply to the hot water tank.
• For electric heaters, turn off the breaker in the electric panel. For gas water heaters, turn the gas valve to the "Pilot" position.
• Clean the outer surface of the tank. Remove the stains and debris deposits if any.
• Measure the height of the water heater.
• Cut the blanket with about 12 inches of extra height.
• Wrap the blanket around the water tank. Leave the top of the heater open to vent out excessive heat inside the tank.
• Temporarily secure the blanket using the vinyl tape. Tape the extra part of the blanket on top of the water heater.
• Using a pen or a marker, mark the areas that need to be cut out. Mark where the thermostat and water connections are. For electric heaters, mark above the two element panels. For gas heaters, mark an arch-shape around the gas valve and burner.
• Remove the blanket and carefully cut these markings.
• Now, line up the cut out areas on the heater components and tape it permanently.
• Turn on the power supply.
• Don’t set the thermostat above 130°F for the electric heater. The wiring may overheat and get damaged above this temperature.

The hot water accumulated inside can lose heat quickly if the tank is inefficiently insulated. This way, the water heater will consume more energy to reheat the water and result in power wastage. Avoid this with the help of professional water heater installers at Hot Water tanks Edmonton. They will help you in making your water heater efficient and share more ways to save energy and money in your home.