» Hot water leaks...
from a tub or sink faucet. Here's something we occasionally find: The water heater is located at one end of the house and there's a leaky tub faucet at the far end of the house. The leaking water feels cold. "Minor problem", you think. But it could be supplied from the water heater. An easy test: Tighten down the hot side handle and watch to see if the leak diminishes. Another test: Put a screwdriver tip to the hot water pipe where it exits the water heater, and press the handle end against your ear; the sound of running (hot) water is magnified. A third test: Feel the cold water supply pipe where it enters the water heater; if no hot water has been used in the previous half hour, the cold pipe should feel warm (heat from the water heater conducts to that pipe and warms it). If the cold pipe near the water heater is cold, and no hot water has been used recently, there may be a hot water leak; cold water is entering the tank (and cooling the inlet pipe) to make up for hot water being lost to a leak.

» The water heater's thermostat malfunctions, the tank overheats, tank pressure builds, the pressure-and-temperature relief valve opens to release a flood of scalding hot water.............under the house, where no one sees it. An actual case. Yes, the bills were high! In another similar case, in a student apartment we found the pressure/temperature relief pipe sending hot water from the under-the-counter water heater to a connection with the drain pipe beneath the kitchen sink. A steamy hot mist was rising from the sink drainhole; the utility bill had recently doubled. In most single family detached homes, the pressure/temperature relief line from the water heater emerges as a little down-spout low on the back side of the house or garage. If you find hot water plunging from that spout, call a plumber.

» The water heater thermostats are set too high...
and each 10 degrees downward adjustment cuts water heating energy consumption by 13%. We recommend setting the thermostat(s) at 115-120 degrees. If you use a dishwasher that has no booster heater, set thermostats at 140 degrees; with a booster, set them at 125 degrees.

» Flush sediment from the bottom of the heater tank at least yearly. A build-up will insulate water from the heat source. If you hear water "gurgling" when the heaters on, you have sediment.

» Use cold water to flush away food in the sink garbage disposer. It works better than hot water, grease particles flush out and there's no build-up in pipes.

» Home cleaning (woodwork and so forth) works as well with cold water and proper detergents.

» Typically electric water heaters will cycle on 3 to 4 times throughout an evening (8 hours). With an insulating blanket (minor purchase at building supply store) properly installed, the cycle time could be reduced by 50%. An insulating blanket will also reduce the cycle time during a normal day.

» On electric water heaters an inexpensive timer can be installed to eliminate on time during the evening hours or when you are away on vacation.