Insulate the Bottom of Your Hot Water Heater

We all like hot water. It makes showering a pleasant experience. Dishes are easier to wash in hot water, and it makes routine floor cleaning easier as well. Thanks to our hot water heater, we are able to get hot water almost immediately just by turning on the tap. That is what I call living.

We shouldn't take this hot water for granted. It comes at a cost. There is a financial cost, an energy cost and an environmental cost. Therefore, in order to preserve what most consider good, we should find ways to lessen all three of those costs. The good news is that these costs all work in tandem. The less energy expended means there is less energy being produced which means there is less pollution. Using less energy costs you less money and you'll generate less pollution. It's a win/win/win situation.

One way to reduce your hot water heating costs is by placing rigid board insulation underneath your hot water heater. This is best done at the time of the water heater's insulation, but it can be done later. The insulation will stop the unit from losing heat through the floor.

If you want to add board insulation to an existing unit, it might be a bit of work. Depending on the hot water heater, you may have to unhook your unit, drain it and reinstall it, but you'll save 4%-9% on your water heating bill. That's the same amount of energy saved by an exterior insulation jacket.