Comfort
Having your own hot water tank at home can be quite comforting. You get the assurance that you can have a generous supply of hot water at all times. This means if you feel like relaxing in your jacuzzi in the middle of the night, you can fill up your tub without having to wait too long.
Hot Water Usage
The key to always having enough hot water to go around at home is to make sure that you get your hot water tank size right. This would usually depend on how many people are occupying your home. For instance, a home with one to three occupants would usually require a hot water tank with a storage capacity of 40 gallons. On the other hand, a home with three to four people would require a hot water tank that can accommodate 50 gallons or more of water. Meanwhile, a home with four to six occupants would require a much bigger hot water tank.
The moment you’ve got the right size hot water tank for your home, it’s time to learn how to use it efficiently. This way, your tank would always be in good running condition and you would not end up with costly repair bills. Not to mention, your energy bill would not end up going inexplicably high too. Here are some ways to keep your hot water tanks working at peak efficiency:
Don’t Forget To Turn Down The Temperature Setting
Typically, a hot water tank would have its temperature set at 140 F when it comes off the factory. You don’t usually need your water to be this hot, though, since you can end up burning yourself. Adjust your hot water temperature to 120 F to make it comfortably warm. If there is no temperature display on your thermostat, you can turn it down slightly and test your hot water again one day later using a thermometer. Keep making adjustments until your hot water reaches 120 F. Doing this would also help you save on energy use since you are no longer heating up your water excessively.
Turn It Off If You Are Leaving For Days
If you and your family happen to be skipping town, it’s never a good idea to keep your water heater on. This way, you don’t end up with high energy bills even when you are not using hot water at home at all. On the other hand, don’t worry about not having hot water as soon as you get home. If you get back home just a day after you switched off your hot water tank, you may find that you still have more than enough hot water for your shower and household chores.
Follow these tips and you can be sure that your heater will stay in good condition for a long period of time. This means that you can always count on a good hot water supply whenever you need it. On the other hand, be sure to call for repairs the moment you spot any issues with your hot water tank. This way, the problem can be fixed before it gets any worse.
Sources:
How It Works: Water Heater, popularmechanics.com
SIZING A NEW WATER HEATER, energy.gov
Electric hot water tanks, green-energy-efficient-homes.com