There are more reasons to insulate your hot water heater than to keep the pipes from freezing. By insulating your hot water heater’s storage tank that has less than a R-24 vaue, you can reduce standby heat losses by up to 45%. This can translate to 9% savings in water-heating costs.
If your water heater’s tank is warm to the touch, that means it needs more insulation. Choose an insulation blanket with a value of R-8 or higher. According to Energy Savers, some utilities provide discounted prices and rebates or will install them at little or no costs.
Installing insulation for your hot water heater can be tricky and it is recommended that you contact a licensed plumber to install the blanket for you. If you do choose to install it yourself, follow the directions closely.
