install insulating jacket on water heater

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initial requirements:

  • Current water heater is standard rather than high efficiency. Some older, cabinet-type units that are usually located in the kitchen may be inappropriate to insulate.

materials needed:

  • Insulating jacket – use an insulating jacket large enough for your water heater.
  • Vinyl tape – to secure the jacket to the water heater; it often comes with the water heater jacket.
  • Pipe insulation – enough to wrap about 15 feet of pipe. Make sure it is the right size for your piping (usually 3/4-inch copper or galvanized).

tools needed:

  • Utility knife
  • Heavy-duty shears

required skills: Simple handiwork

annual energy savings: 4% to 9% of water-heating costs

average time required: ½ hour to 1 hour

project steps:

For an electric water heater:

  1. Turn off electricity to water heater.
  2. Remove the door covering the thermostat and set thermostat to low setting (120 degrees). If you have a dishwasher, use thermostat setting recommended for it. Replace the door when you finish. Many electric water heaters have two thermostats, both of which should be adjusted.
  3. Wrap the insulating jacket around the sides, cut to size, and tape in place.
  4. Cut a “window” through the insulation to provide access to the thermostat. Put the insulation you cut out back in the window so the water heater remains insulated.
  5. Cut insulation for the top of the water heater. Cut holes in the top piece to allow the pipes and the pressure-temperature relief valve to protrude.
  6. Install the insulated cover over the top and tape the seams.

For a gas, propane, or fuel oil water heater:

  1. Reduce the thermostat to the low setting.
  2. Wrap the insulating jacket or insulation rolls around the sides, cut to size, and tape in place.
  3. Cut insulation away from the pressure-temperature relief valve, pilot light and burner area. Make sure insulation cannot possibly drop in front of these areas. These actions are critical for your safety.
  4. Do not install insulation on the top of a gas, propane or fuel oil water heater.

Pipe Insulation

A great deal of energy and water is wasted while waiting for the hot water to reach the tap. Make sure that all hot water pipes that you can see and reach are insulated. Also, if your water pipes are in the crawlspace, make sure that both the hot and cold water pipes are freeze protected by insulating them with pipe insulation. Pipe insulation comes in flexible foam tubes (R-3 to R-5), rigid foam (R-7) and fiberglass wraps (R-2 to R-3).