Hot Water Heater Blanket

I installed a hot water heater blanket this weekend. I picked it up for 15 dollars and it had a R-11 value. I was told you want at least R-8.

What's the savings? Well, the Washington State University Cooperative Extension claims a savings of around $20 dollars per year. Efficiency Vermont (www.efficiencyvermont.com) says you will get 550 kilowatts of savings per year (roughly the same if you use about 6 cents/kilowatt)

Insulating your hot water heater is probably not necessary if you have a newer, efficient model or if you hot water heater is in a small closet since that will give some insulation. Mine is in the middle of my cold, cold basement and you can feel the warmth on the hot water heater.

Go to http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/water_heating/index.cfm/mytopic=13070
to learn how to install a hot water heater blanket and pay special attention if you have a gas type.

Speaking of Hot Water heaters, I just learned a gas heater will cost about 13 dollars/month and an electric can cost up to 45 dollars per month for a family of 3! (this, according to a San Diego gas electric company. Careful with what anyone from California tells you. :) So returning to our conversation about using less water and more cold water is quite important.