Why Your Water Heater May Be Causing a High Gas Bill

If you have a gas water heater, then it could be eating a huge portion of your gas consumption. Your water heater can be responsible for up to 15% of your monthly gas bill, which means you are paying a pretty penny every month for hot water. 

Fortunately, homeowners can do several things to deal with a water heater causing a high gas bill. So today, the team at Formica Plumbing & Sewer Co. is here to talk about how to get your water heater gas bill under control. 

Call our expert plumbers in Lyndhurst today to schedule an appointment!

Why Is My Water Heater Gas Bill High?

If your gas bill keeps rising, your water heater is a possible culprit. The tricky part is most water heaters don’t have a gauge showing their exact gas consumption, so it can be hard to tell if they are using too much or if the gas usage is from something else. Like an overactive furnace or other appliances. If you have narrowed the high gas usage to your water heater, there are a few reasons why it might be the case.

Temperature Is Too High

The most obvious reason for a high water heater gas bill is if the temperature is set too high. According to experts, most homeowners should keep water heater temperatures between 120 and 140 degrees F. At temperatures lower than 120 degrees, the water can become stagnant and start growing mold and bacteria. Temperatures higher than 140 degrees can cause injury. 

As you would expect, keeping a higher temperature setting will use more gas. Most water heaters have a default 140 degrees setting. The hotter you keep the water, the more heat is lost to radiation through the tank, so the system has to pull more gas to keep the water hot. Keeping temperatures at around 120 degrees minimizes heat energy loss and gas consumption. 

Water Heat Is Not the Right Size

Another possible reason your water heater is using so much gas is that it is too small or too large. Tank water heaters use gas to keep water warm when it is sitting in the tank. The energy needed to keep the water warm is less than the amount required to heat it from a lower temperature. 

If the tank is too small, you won’t have enough water, and your system will constantly heat new tanks of water. This will increase gas consumption and use more water than necessary. If your water heater is too large, it will take more gas to heat the tank, so you end up paying more on your energy bill. 

A general rule of thumb is that your water heater should have a 30 to 40-gallon tank for a house with two residents and should have a 40 to 50-gallon tank for a home with three to four people in it. 

Water Heater Is Old

Other times, excessive gas consumption is simply because your system is old. As water heaters age, they get less efficient and use more gas. Specifically, the gas valve can start to rust and leak gas from the side. Wear and tear on other components can be responsible for a water heater causing a high gas bill. 

The average lifespan of a gas water heater is between 10 and 15 years, so if your heater is getting old, you should consider calling an expert to discuss replacement options. Other signs it might be time to replace a bad water heater include:

• Rust or discoloration in the water
• Loud noises
• Smells of leaking gas
• Difficulty maintaining water temperature

Water Heater Gas Leak

Your water heater gas consumption increase might be due to a gas leak rather than a mechanical issue. Stand next to your machine and listen for a hissing sound. If you hear anything, it is likely a gas leak. You can inspect the gas valve to identify if the seal is broken. 

You might also be able to identify a gas leak by smell. Leaking natural gas smells like rotten eggs. A gas leak might also affect the pilot light. Gas appliance leaks are health and fire hazards, so call an expert for repairs immediately if you find signs of a gas leak. 

Can I Save Money By Switching to an Electric Water Heater?

The answer depends on the specific type of water heater and local electricity and gas costs. Gas water heaters are usually more expensive to buy and install than electric water heaters but cost less to run in the long term. The lower cost to run is because gas is usually less expensive than electricity. 

However, there are still a few reasons to pick an electric water heater. Electric water heaters allow more precise temperature control and are easier to program. Electric water heaters are also more environmentally friendly as they don’t release natural gas into the environment, and they are more energy-efficient. These benefits can make it worth choosing an electric water heater over a gas heater. 

How to Lower Your Water Heater Gas Bill

Homeowners can do several things to reduce their water heater gas bill that don’t require special repairs. 

• Insulating your water heater can reduce energy consumption because it won’t have to use as much gas to keep the water warm. 
• Once you use all the water in the tank, your heater has to heat a new batch of water. Reducing water consumption means the heater doesn’t have to heat as much water, lowering gas use. 
• Tank water heaters use a lot of gas to keep the tank warm, so switching to a tankless water heater can reduce gas consumption and your gas bill. 

Emergency Plumbing & Sewage Services in Ohio

If you have a leaking water heater or a water heater causing a high gas bill, reach out to the experts at Formica Plumbing & Sewer Co at (440) 557-4743, or send a message online to schedule an appointment!