A water heater loses most of its heat at the floor which acts like a heat sink. To break this contact, elevate a new heater with a couple bricks, an oak pallet or concrete blocks. According to your most referred Grants Pass plumber, a water heater will start to lose heat the second the heat turns off.
Tank insulation (water heater blankets) slow down the rate of heat loss, says Mr. Rooter. It will give you more hot water to use, and save you money. Although it's best to buy a heavily insulated new heater, a thinly insulated model will benefit from a water heater jacket that can be purchased at your local Grants Pass plumbing supply or home improvement center.
Mr. Rooter Tip of the Week
Tip #1 If you want to raise an existing heater, you'll have to cut the pipes and install couplings.
Tip #2 To install the jacket, start at the T&P (temperature and pressure) valve or element cover, with the top corner of the blanket even with the top of the heater and tape one edge of the jacket to the heater on top and bottom using duct tape.
Tip #3 Cut an opening to expose the element and thermostat covers. Then bring the other edge of the jacket to the first edge.
Tip #4 Don't pull the jacket super tight. Fiberglass needs trapped air for insulation.
Tip #5 Trim any excess jacket along the bottom of the tank.
Tip #6 Cut slits in the top piece for the water lines and the T&P valve, if it's on top.
Tip #7 Tape the edges of the top piece to the side piece, cutting it in a circle or leaving it square.
Tip #8 Tape across the slit on top to close it.
PLUMBING TRADE SECRETS: Water heater insulating jackets are made of fiberglass with a backing and come in two pieces: a blanket for wrapping the water heater and a rectangular piece for the top.
