Plumbing discussions and local services.
Discussion options
Is a blanket worthwhile on an older water heater?
How do you decide whether an older tank’s standby heat loss is enough to justify an added insulation blanket, rather than relying on its factory-insulated jacket? I’d expect the answer to depend on whether it’s gas or electric and on what the manufacturer allows, not just on the tank’s age.
If a blanket is permitted, which controls, vents, labels, or access panels need to stay uncovered, and how do you judge whether the likely reduction in heat loss is worth it?
Join the conversation
Share your experience or ask a follow-up question.
2 replies
I’d start with the exact model’s instructions: if they don’t allow an added blanket, I’d stop there. If they do, fuel type and the tank layout determine what must stay clear - especially a gas unit’s venting and combustion-air openings, and any unit’s controls, labels, and service panels. Only after those limits are clear would I weigh the likely standby-loss savings against the blanket’s cost and the tank’s existing insulation. An older tank isn’t automatically a good candidate.
For a rough payback estimate, start with the tank’s published standby-loss figure and a credible estimate of how much a permitted blanket could reduce it. Convert the estimated energy saved per year into money using the local cost of the fuel, then compare that with the blanket’s price. The result is only an estimate; the real saving depends on the tank and its use.
Find a local plumber.
Loading local plumbers…