How To Implement Heating Efficiency Ideas

Saving money on your water heater is a great idea. There are so many different things you can do to save hundreds of dollars per year with very little work. Let's review some things to look for when dealing with the different types of plumbing parts associated with water heaters.

1. Types of plumbing pipes. For water heaters, there are only two types of pipes that can be installed: metallic and plastic. For metal pipes, only use copper or rust-resistant steel pipes. For plastic pipes, only use PB or CPVC.
2. Plumbing connections. The connections between pipes are usually the first areas to show signs of corrosion. Check for rusting on the threads (spiral ridges) on the pipes of the hot and cold lines found on the top of the water heater. Check the T&P (temperature and pressure) valve's plastic pipe--if it has one--for wear. The T&P will be on top of the water heater for some electric water heaters. On all other heaters, the T&P valve will be attached to the side of the tank. The T&P valve handle is usually a small metal clip.
   • If you have copper plumbing, you should also use copper flex connectors on the hot and cold lines as well. You will also need to use adapters with plastic-lined nipples between the copper pipes of the water heater and the steel pipes of the hot and cold water lines (see How To Repair Broken Pipe Nipples on Water Heaters). A plumber can install heat traps with the flex connectors to increase heating efficiency and reduce your bill (see How To Shrink Your Power Bills by Conserving Energy with your Water Heater).
   • If your water heater has more than one anode rod, the second rod is usually a combination anode rod attached to the hot water line inside the water heater (see How To Install, Inspect and Evaluate Anode Rods in Water Heaters). The cold water line will likely have a dip tube attached to it inside the water heater (see How To Save Yourself from Cold Showers by Knowing More About Dip Tubes).
   • As with copper plumbing, if you have steel plumbing, plastic-lined nipples are the best for connections between the hot and cold ports on top of the water heater, and two more plastic-lined nipples connecting into the wall. Copper flex connectors should be used between the appropriate lines.

   There are adapters available that can connect PB or CPVC plastic pipes to metal pipes. Long flex connectors may also attach to these adapters.

3. Insulated plumbing. You can increase the heating efficiency of your plumbing by insulating the pipes. Use ¾ inch insulation on the hot and cold lines of your water heater, but keep the insulation 3 inches away from the water heater itself. For other pipes, make sure you use the right insulation for the actual size of the pipes. Galvanized pipes and copper pipes often have different actual sizes even though they may both say ¾ inches.

   If you have a gas water heater, be careful that you do not cover the tin draft diverter above the water heater. This is the large metal duct, which acts like a chimney flue for your water heater. Also do not cover any fittings or unions on the plumbing either--you will want to allow access to them later. Always follow the instructions that come with the insulation you purchased to fasten the insulation to your pipes. If you are still unsure of what to do, you may use heavy-duty gas wrap tape or plastic zip ties to tie the insulation

4. Problems with oversized plumbing. When installing new plumbing, you should never use pipes that are larger than what is specified. Large pipes have a larger surface area and will lose heat faster, thus driving up your bill. Also oversized pipes can hold more water, which can freeze and damage the plumbing.

Being more knowledgeable about your water heater plumbing can make a big difference on your utility bills. As always, stay safe while working on a water heater, and if you're not sure about something, call in a licensed professional plumber.