Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Use a Water Heater Timer and Save Big Bucks!

By Ann Triune

Installing a water heater timer is the answer to your increasing electric bills. Water heaters use more electricity than any other appliance found at home. A usual family of four will probably spend at least $400 per year in electricity bills due to heating water.

Usually, a typical water heater keeps gallons of water hot all the time, 24 hours a day, regardless of whether it is used or not. This is the reason behind high utility bills. In order to save money, you can consider installing a water-heater timer.

What is a Water Heater Timer?

A water heater timer is an attachment to your water heater. With it, you can direct your water heater to operate only at the specific times you will be needing hot water.

How does this play a role in saving energy?

There is no need for a water heater to continue doing its function when you are at work or asleep. Usually, hot water is needed only for showers, doing the dishes, and laundry. This runs for about 4 hours in a day. Instead of heating water over and over again for 24 hours a day, you have the power of setting when and how often your water heater operates. This can save you up to 12% of energy.

How does a water heater timer work?

All water heater timers have manual override buttons, so you can set your water heater on anytime. If you have an everyday routine on what time you usually need hot water, there are water heater timers available with up to 24 on/off settings for each day so you can fine tune your water heating schedule.

If however, your schedule varies daily, there are more sophisticated water heater timers that come with a programmable function. A digital water heater timer is most effective and flexible, as it offers seven-day programming. You can set a different water heating schedule during Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and a different one for Tuesdays and Thursdays, whatever suits you best. You are in charge of setting the schedules.

For those with schedules varying only in the weekend, there are less expensive water heater timers available that come with a weekday and weekend schedule.

In case of a power outage, you do not have to worry about resetting your programmed schedule over and over again. All digital timers have a built-in backup in the form of battery or integral that saves your schedule. Water heater timers, being electronics with no moving parts, are also very easy to maintain.

How can I further lessen my utility bills?

You can inquire with your utility company about time-of-use rates. This usually varies according to their demand system. During on peak hours, higher rates are charged and during off peak hours, lower rates are charged. If you are able to set your water heater timer to heat water during off peak hours, then this contributes to further reducing the amount of your utility bills.

Overall, if you want to cut back on your utility costs, consider buying a water heater timer. It is relatively cheap, cost-efficient, and very easy to use. Most water heater timers pay for itself during the first two to three months of its use. This shows how efficient water heater timers are in reducing electricity costs. - 15437

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