Are you replacing your how water system with a new one? If so, one of the reasons for the replacement may be an inefficient system. Maybe the water heater doesn't provide enough hot water when required, or it keeps breaking down too often.
Investing in a new system allows you to improve its efficiency. You can get hot water on demand, save energy and reduce repairs. But how do you make this happen? Here are the top tips on how to improve the efficiency of your new hot water system.
Insulate the Hot Water Tank
Not all homes have tankless hot water systems. If you still have a hot water tank, there's a chance you spend a lot of money on heating. Also, since hot water is stored in the tank, it may not be enough for household tasks such as bathing, doing laundry and cleaning dishes.
Consider insulating your new hot water tank to improve its efficiency. Insulation prevents heat loss to the surrounding environment and keeps the water hot for when you require it in the home. With the water hot at all times, you can cut down on energy wasted reheating the water in the tank.
Protect Your System From Thermal Siphoning
Thermal siphoning refers to a process whereby heat exchange occurs through natural convection. It is responsible for heat loss in hot water tanks and, subsequently, energy wastage in most homes. If your tank has the cold and hot water inlet pipes running vertically over the tank, the hot water pipe will lose heat to the cold water pipe through convection.
As a result, your heater will overwork to provide heated water to your home, and this can reduce its efficiency. Luckily, you can prevent thermal siphoning by installing anti-convection valves and heat traps. These prevent heat loss through convection as cold water flows into the water heater. They can go a long way in reducing energy consumption in your hot water system.
Invest in Scheduled System Maintenance
Hot water systems require regular maintenance to remain efficient. During maintenance, the plumber drains the tank, gets rid of sediment, cleans the heating element and looks for signs of faults. If your system has a problem, they will fix it before it causes extensive damage.
Don't skimp on system maintenance. Ask a professional to tune up the system at least once every three or four months for maximum efficiency. You will not only save money that would be spent on repairs but also enjoy adequate hot water all year round.
As you perform a hot water replacement for your heating system, have these things in mind to improve the efficiency of the new water heater. Always work with professional plumbers for quality services!