Saving Energy Costs: Install a Hot Water Heater Timer

Did you know you can easily save money by installing a timer on your hot water heater? Similar to how air conditioning works, a hot water heater will run for a period of time to keep the water at a set temperature. Why not save your hard-working hot water heater from keeping your hot water HOT by letting the water cool down during off-peak hours — like during the middle of the night when no one is using hot water in the house?

According to EnergySavors.gov:

You can install a timer yourself. Timers are most cost effective if you don’t want to install a heat trap and insulate your water heater tank and pipes. Timers aren’t as cost effective or useful on gas water heaters because of their pilot lights.

For a 5-step installation guide, including project costs (about $50 – $100) and materials, visit the DIY Network or watch this video on YouTube.

Installing a hot water heater timer will also extend the life of your hot water heater as it will not constantly be running. Many options are available for hot water heater timers, like those for electric or gas, digital or analog.

Make this a Saturday project. Your energy savings will be almost instant!

About Lisa Oates

Lisa is the creative mind behind The Harrisonburg Homes Team, providing streamlined content management, quality authorship, and graphic design for Harrisonblog. She's passionate about blogging, enjoying life, and a good cup of coffee.

4 thoughts on “Saving Energy Costs: Install a Hot Water Heater Timer

  1. patrick

    Correction: Hot water heaters no NOT run constantly. Tank style heaters, heat the reservoir of water to a set temp, then shut OFF. Absent a timer, they use NO electricity when off. Even the tankless style heaters do NOT run constantly. True that the on/off cycling is “digitally” constant, but the frequency can be affected by other factors.

  2. patrick

    Hot water heaters no NOT run constantly. Tank style heat the reservoir to a set temp and which point the elements shut OFF. If tankless to NOT run constantly. True the on/off cycling is “digitally” constant the frequency can be affected by other factors.

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