water heater

**sinopa27** · 12-11-2009, 05:04 AM

Originally Posted by MaryCarney

You can buy a water heater timer - we have one and it cost around $40. (Pretty sure it came from Lowe's) I'm not at home right now or I'd go look at it and tell you the brand.

Ours is set to be 'on' from 5-9am and 5-9 pm, and there is a manual over-ride switch, too. When we installed it (probably 6 years ago) we saw an almost immediate decrease of $20 per month to our electric bill.

thank you. I am going to get the water heater timer and an insulating blanket for it!!

**sinopa27** · 12-11-2009, 05:07 AM

Originally Posted by Greebo

http://michaelbluejay.com/electricit...atertimer.html

awesome information. I really thought that they water heater was running all the time. I may get the blanket first and see if there is any improvement while I figure out what time of timer to get.

**savvy_sniper** · 12-11-2009, 08:28 AM

The blanket will definitely help! How much it helps depends on where it is located (in the house or in the garage). Mine is in the house and the blanket helped a fair amount. A friend that lives further north and gets much colder temps has hers in the garage and the blanket helped a LOT in the winter.

Originally Posted by sinopa27

awesome information. I really thought that they water heater was running all the time. I may get the blanket first and see if there is any improvement while I figure out what time of timer to get.

**fixer** · 12-11-2009, 08:59 AM

Originally Posted by sinopa27

awesome information. I really thought that they water heater was running all the time. I may get the blanket first and see if there is any improvement while I figure out what time of timer to get.

The best information contained in that site was to follow the directions that come with the timer. I am a Master Electrician who has installed many water heater timers and I was confused by the information contained in this site.

**frugalfranny** · 12-11-2009, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by sinopa27

awesome information. I really thought that they water heater was running all the time. I may get the blanket first and see if there is any improvement while I figure out what time of timer to get.

I put a blanket on a few years ago and I think it helped quite a bit. You might need someone to help you hold it up while you get it in place --with tape or whatever you use.....but very easily done! I used more tape than came with the blanket and it is still holding!

Got it at Lowe's, I think, and it was under $20. Has already saved me more than that, I am sure.

If your heater is gas........read carefully on how to put it ABOVE the controls.......very important!