Contents
The water heater provides hot water all year round. It runs on electricity, so many users have a question: how to save electricity with a boiler? Is it beneficial to turn off the device or is it better to leave it as it is? In the article, you will learn how to use the equipment correctly in order to avoid breakdowns and reduce the amount of payments.
Should the water heater be turned off?
Turning off appliances at night can save the family budget? Only if the tank is large.
Example. A family of 3 uses a boiler with a capacity of 120 liters. After taking a shower and washing dishes, they leave the appliance for 4-5 hours to heat up, after which they turn it off for the night. This approach allows you to save 10-15% on electricity.
It is important to consider in which room the device is located. If the room is heated, heat loss will be minimal – about 7 degrees in 12 hours. Manufacturers have minimized heat loss by using polyurethane foam and other materials to insulate the hull.
How often can the appliance be turned off? Constantly if you really want to keep costs down. Every night you have to turn off the boiler to save a few kilowatts.
Is it justified? As we already wrote, only with a large capacity. If you set a low temperature, then there is no point in interfering with the operation of the equipment. Not much energy is spent on heating the liquid.
How to reduce electricity consumption
It is not necessary to engage in constant shutdowns, it is better to do the right thing from the beginning.
Optimal installation location
Consider the distance of the boiler from the fence point. The extra length of pipes steals heat. Imagine: you open the faucet, hot water comes out of the tank and pushes cold water in front of you. For every meter of pipe (1/2″) you lose 0,2 liters of boiling water. Closing the mixer, you lose the same amount of hot liquid. Hot water stays in the pipes and cools down.
Optimize heat loss by placing the appliance close to the sink in the kitchen, taking into account the distance of the intake point in the bathroom.
Of course, do not forget about common sense when installing. If your most advantageous installation point is in the corridor, then choose the place where the operation will be convenient for all family members.
If you want to save money, insulate pipes and fittings. Put polypropylene covers on them.
Choose economy mode
Can the heater be turned off? If you expect to get a hot stream from the tap in the morning, then you should not. It will take even more energy and time to heat the entire volume after cooling. It is better to set the economy mode “E”. This is heating up to 55 degrees.
In this case, you will save not on electricity, but on the maintenance of equipment. The temperature regime of 55 ° C slows down the formation of scale on the walls and parts of the tank.
Salts of magnesium and calcium are deposited on the heating element. Over time, the layer turns into a thick crust, which makes it difficult to conduct heat. Then the heating time increases, more electricity is spent, and at the output you get warm water.
Experts recommend cleaning the boiler at least once a year.
The heating element must be dismantled from the housing, cleaned and soaked in a solution of citric acid. To prevent scale, install cleaning filters. They soften water, which has a positive effect on the operation of equipment.
We hope our recommendations will help you reduce your electricity bills and extend the life of your boiler. Think in advance about the installation location of the device. Installing a tariff meter will also help save money, because nighttime electricity consumption is less expensive.