Water Heater Tips Put Safety and Savings on Tap with SDG&E

Did you know that when you use water, you are using energy? The U.S. Department of Energy found that water heaters account for about 18% of your total energy bill. Here are some water heater tips to help keep you safe and lower your energy bill.

Set your water heater thermostat to 120 degrees or less. You'll save energy and avoid scalding your hands and body. Lower temps also slow mineral buildup and corrosion in your water heater and pipes.
Insulate your storage tank and the first 6 feet of both the hot-water and cold-water pipes connected to the unit. This helps prevent fires and conserves heat so your system doesn't have to work so hard to reheat it.
Install a timer to turn your water heater off when you go to bed. It conserves energy and can add years to the unit's life.
If your water heater is more than ten years old and in good condition, consider installing a heat trap. Most modern water heaters have a built-in heat trap.
Make sure your water heater restraints are secured to the wall studs to prevent movement or toppling over during an earthquake.
Using cold water for laundry and basic grooming helps reduce your bill.
Keep the area around the water heater clean, free of items around it, and well-ventilated to prevent it from working harder.
It's a good practice to drain your water heater every year or so. It helps remove sediment that can impede heat transfer which lowers the efficiency of the unit.