Should I Insulate My Water Heater?
Your Water Heater May Already Be Energy Efficient
It’s easy to take your water heater for granted. It’s only when it stops doing its job—producing hot water for your household—that most people start thinking about it.
But that’s not always the case. The cost of heating water for your household each month can be a concern for New York homeowners who are struggling financially. This group may be tempted to follow the popular energy-efficiency tip of insulating their water heater tank to save money. But in many cases, this is not recommended, or even necessary.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you don’t need to insulate your water storage tank if the model has been manufactured since 2004 and has a thermal resistance rating of R-24. If you don’t know your water heater’s R-value or when it was made, just touch the tank. If it doesn’t feel warm, additional insulation is not needed.
To sum up, unless you have a very old water heater, it’s generally unnecessary to add insulation to it. If you do add insulation, however, you should leave that work to a qualified plumbing or heating contractor to avoid making costly mistakes.
Please be aware that the life span of the most common water heater—units with a storage tank—can vary greatly, anywhere from 7 to 13 years. If your water heater is older than that, rest assured you’ve certainly gotten your money’s worth out of it. It’s time to invest in a replacement system.
Benefits of a Propane Water Heater
When it comes to heating water, New York homeowners have multiple options. Each has its advantages, but propane water heaters often stand out for efficiency.
Propane water heaters typically heat water quickly. This means less waiting for hot water and more immediate comfort. Propane water heaters are known for their energy efficiency. They can save you money on your energy bills by using less fuel to heat water. This efficiency is not only good for your wallet but also beneficial for the environment.
Types of Water Heaters for Your Home
The most common type of water heater is a unit that has a dedicated burner inside to heat water that is stored in a tank. As you use the water in the tank, the supply of hot water is constantly replenished. But the cost of constantly heating your water can add up.
That’s one reason why many homeowners today are opting for a tankless propane water heater when it’s time to replace their direct-fired unit.
A tankless water heater needs less space in the home and provides a virtually endless supply of hot water on demand. Tankless water heaters are also more energy-efficient and have a longer life than storage tank water heaters.
NY Rebates for Propane Water Heaters
As you consider your water heating requirements, or if you need some help figuring out what’s most important, get in touch with your New York propane service company. They’ll be glad to walk you through the process and help you get a better understanding of your household’s hot water needs. They can also tell you all about current New York rebates that will help you save money on a propane water heater as well as other propane heating equipment.
It’s important to note that when you want to install propane-powered equipment, it’s essential that you bring in a licensed technician. Propane equipment is extremely safe when installed properly. But as with all energy sources, improper installation can be dangerous. Certified propane technicians have the training, experience, and tools to do the job quickly, correctly, and safely.
This is largely because of the Certified Employee Training Program (CETP), which is run under the direction of the Propane Education & Research Council. What’s more, you can only take advantage of available equipment rebates if your installation is inspected for safety with a Gas Check®.
Please speak to your propane appliance provider about this inspection.