Water heaters are among the highest energy-consuming appliances in your home. Energy star predicts that households spend between $400 and $600 on
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, about 18% of your electricity costs are directly tied to your water heating system. If you've noticed a rise in your recent electric bills, don't start taking cold showers just yet.
Are electric water heaters expensive to run? According to the Department of Energy, the average American household spends between $400 and $600 each year on water heating alone. This cost will vary depending on the electricity rates in your area and your water heating unit's efficiency.
Yes, a water heater can contribute to a high water bill in several ways: Leaks: If your water heater is leaking, it can waste a significant amount of water, leading to higher bills. Check for any visible signs of leakage around the unit.
The average Electric Water Heater uses 4000 watts. Your devices wattage may be different depending on the brand, size, or other factors. You can generally find the wattage of your Electric Water Heater in the user manual or on the device itself.
Typically, a hot water heater that uses a tank will run for 3 to 5 hours per day. So, a 4,000-watt heater used for 3 hours a day at 10¢ per kWh will cost $1.20 per day, about $36.50 per month, or $438 per year.
Heating and cooling: 45-50%
The largest electricity consumer in the average household is your heating and cooling appliance. By a long shot. Central air conditioners and heaters use tons of energy in order to keep your home set to the right temperature.
Water heating accounts for about 18% of your home's energy use and is the typically the second largest energy expense in any home. You can reduce your water heating bills in four primary ways: Using less hot water. Using energy-saving strategies, such as turning down the thermostat on your water heater.
A tank-style water heater consumes energy even when you're not using hot water, because the unit's gas burner or electric elements have to cycle on repeatedly to keep the water inside at the thermostat's temperature setting.
Electric Water Heaters: Pros and Cons
Electric water heaters confer multiple benefits over gas units, including ease of installation, higher efficiency levels and safer operation. On the flip side, they have their own unique challenges, like slower heating and vulnerability during power outages.
For instance, a medium-sized, 40-gallon water heater that draws 4500 watts and is active for 2 hours a day at a rate of $0.13 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) costs about $1.17 to work per day, which comes to $35 each month or $426 each year.
It's better to leave the hot water heater on all the time, rather than turning it on and off. This is a very common energy saving myth. But in fact, you really don't need to be heating your water all the time.
Space heaters usually consume between 400 and 1500 watts of electricity, and the majority use around 800-1000 watts. If an electric heater is used for 3 hours a day, then it could add up to 90 kWh of electricity to your monthly electricity bill, which could be an additional 5-10% of your total monthly electricity cost.
Because these tanks need to keep a large volume of hot water constantly heated and ready for use, they tend to be very energy intensive. In fact, according to Energy Star, a 50-gallon conventional storage-tank water heater will use about $695 worth of electricity per year – more than any other appliance in your home!
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.
Higher wattage elements can lead to increased energy consumption, particularly if used inappropriately. A 5500 watt element may heat water faster but might not always be the most efficient choice for your household size. Conversely, a 4500 watt element can be more energy-efficient if your hot water demand is moderate.
More kilowatts mean more electricity, and bigger water heaters will typically use more watts. The average water heater runs at around 1125 watts, though some more powerful water heaters can use up to 4000 watts.
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.
The maximum Department of Energy recommended water heater temperature setting you should never exceed is 140 degrees Fahrenheit. The lowest recommended setting should never be below 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
A 50-gallon electric heater costs $2.69/hour, while a 50-gallon gas heater costs only $1.18/hour.
What costs the most on your electric bill? Heating and cooling are by far the greatest energy users in the home, making up around 40% of your electric bill. Other big users are washers, dryers, ovens, and stoves. Electronic devices like laptops and TVs are usually pretty cheap to run, but of course, it can all add up.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, standby power accounts for as much as 5% to 10% of residential energy use, and homeowners could save $100 to $200 each year on utility bills by unplugging devices that aren't in use.