Feeling the warmth?

Whether its winter or summer, if the outside of your electric water heater is warm to the touch, it is losing heat and you are losing energy dollars.

Electric water heating accounts for nearly 15% of your monthly electric bill, but you can reduce that cost with a hot water heater efficiency kit from CCEC. The kit, which is valued at more than $50, includes a water heater blanket, pipe insulation, an Earth Massage water-efficient showerhead and faucet aerators. Installing an insulating blanket on your electric water heater is one of the most effective do-it-yourself energy-saving projects you can perform.

The blanket will reduce standby heat loss (heat lost through the walls of the tank) by 25-40%. Insulating your hot water pipes will reduce heat loss as the hot water is flowing to the faucet and will reduce standby losses when the tap is turned off and then back on within an hour or so. A great deal of energy and water is wasted waiting for hot water to reach the tap.

Another big savings opportunity is in the use of less hot water. Low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators significantly reduce the amount of water you use in your home. You could save anywhere from 42-82% percent with a low-flow showerhead alone, depending on the flow rate of the showerhead you are replacing. And, when you use less water overall, you will need less water from your water heater as well.

The kits are available for $16 for active CCEC members and are available at our offices in Newport, Havelock and Harkers Island.