Water heater
blanket
Hot water heater insulation blankets
A hot water heater blanket is worth
considering. Blankets are
designed to provide additional insulation to water heating
storage tanks. Depending on the particular application, the additional
insulation provided can reap significant energy savings,
and insulating blankets are relatively inexpensive.
Here's a
complete overview;
Whether
electric, gas, heat pump or solar powered, additional insulation
can be quite beneficial for water heating storage tanks.
Storage tanks and heat loss
With any water heating
system that requires a storage tank, some of the heated water
will be unused. And this unused water will
eventually require reheating for future use. This costly energy
waste is referred
to as standby heat loss, and it can account for up to 20% of your total
water heating costs.
The majority of heat loss occurs through the steel
walls of the tank as well as the hot water pipes.
With systems that use storage tanks, avoiding or eliminating
all
standby heat loss is all but impossible. However the additional insulation
provided from
a hot water heater blanket, can significantly reduce standby heat loss.
R-value
rating
Hot water heater blankets are rated and classified
by there R-value. R-value is a commonly used industry
measurement that represents the thermal resistance (or the insulating
effectiveness) of an object or material.
The higher the R-value of a water heater
blanket, the more additional insulation provided. Several
factors can determine the R-value. The materials, the thickness as well
as the density of the materials are all important factors.
Most hot water heater blankets are made of
insulating fiberglass interiors, along with either vinyl lining or
reflective barriers (usually foil or aluminum). Models with reflective
barriers made of pure aluminum usually have higher R-values.
Is
a water heater blanket worth it?
The potential long term energy savings will depend
on the particular application. New and more energy
efficient tanks come well equipped with significant internal
insulation. The greater the internal insulation, the reduced the
potential for long term savings from providing additional external
insulation.
With that said, the internal insulation provided
in many previously (and currently) manufactured storage tanks is
significantly inadequate when compared to many newer models currently
available. Installing a hot water heater blanket on a tank with
inadequate internal insulation generally will provide greater energy
savings.
What's
Recommended
Consider
the R-value of the storage tank in question. The R-value of a hot water
heater can be obtained simply by referencing the owners manual. If a
specific R -value cannot be obtained, simply place your hand on the
storage tank itself.
If the
external portion of the tank is warm or hot, this indicates
that the storage tanks' internal insulation alone is inadequate, and
installing a hot water heater blanket is recommended.
Most
industry professionals recommend fitting a storage tank with a R-value
of 16 (R-16) or less with an insulating blanket with a R-value of 10
(R-10) or higher.
Even a new
energy efficient tank with an insulation R-valve between 16 (R-16) and
24 (R-24) stand to benefit from the addition of a water heater blanket
with a R-value of less than 10.
In the case of newer and more efficient
tanks, it's always wise to verify that the manufacturer recommends
additional external insulation before purchase. Such recommendations
can be found in the manufacturer provided owners manual.
Installing
insulation blankets
In the case of electric powered tanks,
installation is relatively straight forward and simple. Insulation
blankets are often sold in kits, and more times than not, these kits
come equipped with all the tools and materials
required for
installation.
Hot water heater blanket kits often come equipped
with very detailed installation instructions as well. When
installing, it would be wise to follow the
manufacturers' directions as carefully as possible.
Important
Installation Guidelines
It's very
important to leave certain fixtures and certain areas of the storage
tank uncovered when wrapping a blanket around it. This goes for
all tanks; gas, solar and electric powered tanks as well.
These
fixtures and areas include;
- the heating
element control or thermostat.
- the water
heater drain valve.
- the
temperature pressure relief valve and the overflow or drain tube.
Warning -
Gas Powered Tanks and Insulation Blankets
Installing
a hot water heater blanket on a gas powered storage tank is
a more challenging procedure than wrapping up an electric powered tank.
Installation on a gas powered tank
requires both additional care and consideration.
- The
flue and the draft diverter along the top of the tank (and the area
where they make contact with the water heaters' steel tank)
should not be covered with an insulation blanket. Insulating this area
can result in improper venting or a possible fire hazard.
- The
area adjacent to the gas burner (which is located at the bottom of the
tank below the drain valve) should not be insulated. This could very
well obstruct the air flow to the burner, which is required
for combustion.
- When
in doubt consult a local
water heating professional for installation.
Insulate hot
water pipes
Providing additional insulation to the hot water
pipe can reduce heat
loss as well. Insulating the pipe can also provide hot water to
appliances, shower heads and faucet taps quicker. Pipe wraps (or
sleeves) are usually made of polyethylene or neoprene, and in some
instances, fiberglass.
Wraps or sleeves generally come in the form of
foam split tubes. These
foam split tubes are very inexpensive and very effective if
fit tightly around the pipe. It's a good idea to match the diameter of
the pipe to the diameter of the wrap or sleeve to ensure the
tightest possible fit.
What's
Recommended
It's highly
recommended to insulate the hot water pipe 3 feet to 5 feet from the
water
heater. Consider insulating the pipe as far as possible. But
keep in mind that according to most industry professionals, the initial
3 feet to 5 feet of pipe is responsible for most of the heat loss.
Warning -
Insulating Pipes On Gas Powered Tanks
With gas
powered water heaters, leaving a 5 inch to 8 inch barrier between the
flue
and the wrap (or sleeve) is recommended.
It's important
to note (for such applications) fiberglass pipe wrap is better
suited than both polyethylene foam or neoprene foam.
More on energy
efficient water heating
Water heater maintenance and efficiency
- Water
Heater Maintenance; how to extend the life of an old or
recently purchased storage tank.
- Water
Heater Anode; periodically inspecting the sacrificial anode
rod is a maintenance procedure that protects the storage tank from
corrosion.
- Drain
Hot Water Heater; draining or flushing the storage tank
removes sediments that can compromise efficiency and volume.
- Water
Heater Drain Valve; inspect the drain valve on the tank for
potential leaks and drips.
- Water
Heater Expansion Tank; high water pressure can compromise any
storage tank. The addition of a hot water heater expansion tank can
both resolve and prevent high water pressure.
Energy efficient water heating options
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