DIY Projects

Project File #24
SKILL LEVEL
Do It Yourself
PRIORITY LEVEL
As Soon As Possible
THE BIG PAYOFF
Save energy on your hot water

Reduce energy waste by upgrading or maintaining your water heater.

It takes a lot of energy to make sure your home has enough hot water. Fortunately, with proper maintenance or by upgrading your unit to a more efficient one, you can make strides in reducing the amount of energy your water heater uses.

Project Overview

Tools and Materials:

  • Utility knife
  • Garden hose for draining tank
  • Insulation kit for water heater
  • Pipe insulation and zip ties or tape

Safety:

  • Disconnect power sources when working on electrical appliances
  • Turn off gas at cutoff valves before working on gas lines
  • Be sure to relight pilot lights
  1. First, inspect your water heater to determine what kind you have. It may be electric or fuel-fired, tank or tankless. It’s important to know what you’re dealing with before you start any major projects.
  2. Flushing the tank is an important part of maintaining your water heater. You can also improve its efficiency by adding an insulating blanket around the heater, and by adding pipe insulation to as much of the hot water line as possible.
  3. Be very careful to follow directions. Gas water heaters require special attention to detail to avoid the risk of house fires or Carbon Monoxide. If you feel unsure about this project, contact your Energy Advisor for more information.

Download Project File

Get the printable step-by-step instructions and start saving today.