Upgrade to Efficient Tank Water Heater
If it’s time to upgrade your water heater, consider a highly efficient electric heat pump water heater. This is the best option for both low-cost energy and lowering your impact. However, if that’s not an option, another option is an efficient conventional tank water heater.
Your Impact
Action Steps & Tips
Introduction
If it’s time to replace your water heater, the best option for impact is to switch to an electric heat pump water heater. Check out the Heat Pump Water Heater action to learn more. However, if that isn’t an option, another option is to consider an efficient conventional tank water heater. Installing an efficient tank water heater will save you money and energy, and reduce carbon emissions and air pollution. Read on to learn more.
1Choose a new water heater, install and save!
Conventional storage tank water heaters are the most common type of water heater. The way they work is to heat up the water in the tank with gas or electricity until hot water is needed. Natural gas units generally cost less to operate than electric units but cost more to purchase initially.
Go electric for a big impact. If you have a natural gas unit now, switching to an electric unit would provide the biggest opportunity to lower your impact. If you have an electric water heater and sign up for a Green Electricity program, your hot water will be climate emission and air pollution free! If an Electric Heat Pump water heater is not in the budget, a regular electric water heater would also be an option. However, it will be more expensive to operate and could increase your monthly bills. The other option would be to stay with natural gas with a high-efficiency unit.
Choose a contractor. First, choose a contractor to help you decide on a model and do the installation. When choosing a contractor, remember to request cost estimates in writing, ask for references, check the company with the local Better Business Bureau, and see if the company understands local building codes. Also, check in with your neighbors or ask for a recommendation from your community members here on the site!
Choose Energy Star & the right capacity. If you choose to go with a conventional water heater, make sure to choose an efficient Energy Star rated model. Also, make sure to choose the best capacity for your household and determine if there are any upgrades required for installation.
Be ready to upgrade. If you decide to switch from gas, propane, or fuel oil to electricity, be sure to do any upgrades ahead of time before your water heater goes out. Then you will be ready for your new electric water heater!
Learn more. Learn a bit more about water heaters, how they work, and the important factors in choosing a system with the Energy.gov and Consumer Reports guides.
Once you have installed your new system, make sure to maintain it for maximum efficiency, energy savings, and comfort!
Extra Credit: Check out the Turn Water Heater Down action to save even more energy!