Can an old water heater raise the gas bill?

Author: Prof. Olen Aufderhar PhD  |  Last update: Friday, March 28, 2025

Your hot water heater plays a significant role in your gas consumption. To ensure it operates efficiently: Schedule regular maintenance checks by a licensed plumber to improve heater efficiency. Consider replacing an old or inefficient hot water heater with an energy-efficient model to reduce gas usage.

Can an old water heater cause a high gas bill?

Like many major appliances, water heaters are built to last for years. Over time, however, they begin to lose their efficiency. When the efficiency of your water heater drops, your energy bill will rise.

Can an old water heater raise the water bill?

Absolutely, an old water heater can be a huge energy hog, especially if it's electric and poorly insulated in a cold space like your basement. If it's also working overtime due to sediment build-up or a failing element, that'll spike your bills even more.

Do old water heaters use more gas?

As water heaters age, they get less efficient and use more gas. Specifically, the gas valve can start to rust and leak gas from the side.

Why is my gas usage suddenly so high?

At a Glance: Aging furnaces or water heaters work harder to maintain temperature, causing higher gas usage and bills. Poor insulation forces your heating system to run longer, increasing gas consumption. Variable-rate natural gas plans or gas price fluctuations may lead to sudden spikes in your gas bill.

Common Water Heater Myths Answered | Ask This Old House

What can cause a gas meter to read high?

If your monthly bill rises suddenly for no clear reason, especially in the summer, the cause could be a natural gas leak. Gas leaks may be the result of poorly maintained gas appliances, low-grade pipe fittings, a new gas appliance that's faulty or was improperly installed, or an outdoor leak due to a line break.

Does a water heater use gas?

Tank or Tankless: Most water heaters rely on a tank to maintain a ready supply of hot water, but some are tankless and only heat water as needed. Fuel Type: Water heaters run on electricity, gas or a combination of the two.

Can a water heater make your bill go up?

It is certainly possible for a water heater to increase your utility bill. Several factors can reduce the efficiency, including a unit that is too small, too old, bad water, or an incorrectly set thermostat can increase the energy bill. Leaks and long pipes can increase your water usage.

Why is my gas water heater using so much gas?

Plumbing and Hot Water Leaks

Hidden plumbing leaks can cause a continuous drain on your hot water heater, resulting in higher gas bills. To identify and address these leaks: Regularly check visible plumbing areas for leaks or dampness. Hire a licensed plumber to inspect hidden pipes and detect any leaks.

What happens when a water heater gets too old?

Rust in your water – Rust in the water is usually a sign that the interior of the water heating system is corroding and breaking down. Lack of available hot water – Aging and poor maintenance can cause sediment to build up inside the tank in a way that reduces capacity.

Why is my water bill $400?

An unusually high water bill is most often caused by a leak or change in water use. Some common causes of high water bills include: A leaking toilet, or a toilet that continues to run after being flushed, most common. A dripping faucet; a faucet drip can waster 20 gallons or more of water a day.

Why is my natural gas water heater running constantly?

If your water heater is constantly running the first thing you should do is check the unit and the pipes immediately around it for leaks. Your water heater might have insufficient insulation – If the water heater is not properly insulated, it will be unable to maintain the water temperature.

How can I lower my water heater bill?

15 Ways to Save on Your Water Heating Bill
  1. Take short showers instead of baths. ...
  2. Reduce your time in the shower. ...
  3. Lower the temperature on your water heater to 120°F; for every 10ºF reduction in temperature, you can save from 3%–5% on your water heating costs. ...
  4. Don't let the water run.

Can a bad water heater raise water bill?

If you have a leaking water heater, your water bill will increase. Most people don't think to check their water heater when they discover their water usage has been increasing month-over-month. With tank-type water heaters, look around the base of the water heater for signs of leaks.

Why am I using so much gas in my house?

Why am I using so much gas in my house? If you use your central heating a lot you will use more gas. But there are other reasons why your usage may be high, for example you may have an inefficient boiler or your home may be poorly insulated.

Should I replace my 20 year old gas water heater?

Absolutely! After 20 years, your tank water heater is well past its life expectancy. If you have a tankless water heater, it's approaching its life expectancy. At this point, you should expect additional repairs from wear and tear.

What uses the most gas in a home?

What Uses The Most Gas in a House? According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the majority of natural gas used in homes is for space heating, which includes both air and water. But whether homes use natural gas or not depends on the type of water heater and central heating system it has.

How do I know if my water heater is going to gas?

The pilot light on most water heaters can be found at the base of the unit just under the gas control valve. Open the access door or panel to the burner chamber and take a look inside. You should be able to see the pilot light tube. If there's a steady blue flame, your pilot light is operational.

How much gas does a water heater use per month?

How Much Gas Does a Hot Water Heater Use? Most gas hot water heaters use between 20-50 therms of gas per month. A therm is a unit of measurement for natural gas and is equivalent to 100,000 BTUs. So, if you have a gas hot water heater, it's likely using around 2,000-5,000 BTUs per hour.

Does hot water run up gas bill?

If you are heating water with gas, you often will notice a spike in your gas bill and somehow overlook the spike in your water bill. If you look at both carefully and they both spike at the same time, you don't have a gas problem you have a water leak somewhere.

Does an old water heater use more electricity?

Old water heaters are much less energy efficient, both because they are aging and because standards were lower back then, which could mean more money you're paying each month in energy costs compared to a newer heater.

How to tell if a hot water heater is causing a high electric bill?

In terms of your water heater, how quickly it heats water determines the overall energy efficiency of your unit. If your heater is taking too long to warm up the water for use throughout your home, it can send your electricity bill skyrocketing.

Does water heater control gas?

When the water heater's thermostat detects a drop in water temperature below the set level, it sends a signal to the gas control valve to open and allow gas to flow to the burner. This gas is then ignited by the pilot light or electronic ignition system, heating the water in the tank.

How to tell if your water heater is bad?

Water heaters show several signs of going bad, including lack of hot water, temperature fluctuations, decreased water pressure, strange noises, rotten egg smell, visible leaks, rusty or discolored water, and increased energy bills. If your water heater is over 10 years old, it may be time to consider a replacement.

Is it cheaper to run a gas or electric water heater?

Gas water heaters are much less expensive to operate long term. Overall, you'll likely spend less money running a gas water heater than using an electric water heater. Still, because the costs of both natural gas and electricity vary by region, you should compare the price of each before making your final decision.

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