When you think about the biggest energy consumers in your home, heating and cooling equipment probably come to mind first. But here’s something worth considering: your water heater rivals those systems as one of your home’s largest draws on energy, accounting for nearly one-fifth of the average household’s annual energy use. Unlike your furnace or air conditioner, your water heater runs every single day of the year. That means the opportunities to save energy and money with smart temperature management are significant.
A few simple adjustments could make a meaningful difference on your monthly bills without sacrificing the hot water your household depends on.
Before you can optimize your settings, you need to know where to make the adjustment. The thermostat on most traditional tank water heaters is located at the top or bottom of the unit, typically tucked behind an insulated access panel. Once you locate it, adjusting the temperature is straightforward.
Most water heaters ship from the manufacturer preset to 140°F. That’s hotter than necessary for most households, and it comes with real downsides:
Dropping your thermostat to 120°F is one of the simplest efficiency improvements you can make. This adjustment, paired with basic water conservation habits, can save you up to $400 per year. It also still delivers water hot enough to eliminate harmful bacteria while meaningfully reducing the risk of accidental burns.
If you’re heading out of town, there’s no reason to keep heating a full tank of water that no one will use. Before you leave:
This small habit can add up to real savings over multiple trips throughout the year.
If your home has a tankless water heater, you have even more flexibility and potentially even greater efficiency gains. Tankless units heat water on demand, which means you can often run them at a lower base temperature than a conventional tank without sacrificing comfort.
For homeowners in Bristol, Worcester, Middlesex, and Norfolk Counties, keeping your water heater running at peak efficiency is one of the smartest ways to manage home energy costs year-round. Over time, sediment buildup and normal wear can cause your system to work harder and deliver less. Longer waits for hot water, shorter showers, and higher bills are all signs that your unit may be struggling.
TF Complete Heating & Cooling can help. Whether your water heater needs a professional service visit to restore its efficiency or the time has come to upgrade to a newer, higher-efficiency model, our team is ready to help you find the right solution for your home, your comfort needs, and your budget.
Contact TF Complete today to arrange water heater service and lower your energy costs for years to come.
Contact us today to schedule a routine maintenance visit. If you need an emergency repair, please call our office right away at 508-507-6702, and we will get to your home as soon as we can.