A continuously high water bill might be a source of concern as you consider not only how to pay it, but also what is causing it. A sudden spike in your water expenses is especially concerning, as it could suggest a leak. You might be wondering if your water heater is to blame for your higher-than-usual water use and bill. We’ll look at some of the ways a water heater might cause a high water bill, as well as what you can do to fix the problem.
A Leaking Water Heater Tank
Water heater tank leaks can lead to increased water usage and a higher water bill. Water pooling under your water heater, excess condensation or dampness growing near the water heater, or mold and mildew growth near the water heater are all signs of a leak. It’s also worth noting that a water leak from your water heater tank could not be obvious. Water leaks might be hidden by the insulation around the tank. Call an experienced plumber for a thorough assessment if you suspect a leak from your water heater but can’t pinpoint the source.
Leaking Fixtures and Fittings at the Tank
The fittings and fixtures that connect to the water heater might also deteriorate over time, resulting in leaks. Check the connections and fittings leading to and from the water heater, as well as valves like the water heater shutoff valve and the temperature-pressure-regulating valve. Even minor leaks from these fittings and valves can add up to hundreds of liters each year. Be mindful that a faulty connection could indicate that the water heater’s fittings are corroded or worn out. Attempting to adjust corroded fittings on your own could result in the connection breaking and flooding your home. It is safer to call a licensed plumber to make the necessary repairs if you find rusted fittings.
Excessive Piping Line Between Water Heater and Outlets
You’ll probably have to run your hot water for a minute or two before it becomes hot, whether you have a tank water heater or an on-demand water heater. While it may not appear to be a large amount of water, running your shower for one minute while waiting for the water to warm up loses two gallons. When multiplied by a four-person household taking one shower every day, that’s about 3000 gallons of water wasted per year. The easiest approach to reduce this loss is to make sure your hot water pipes are properly insulated so that hot water stays hot as it travels to your taps and showers.
Water Heater is Malfunctioning
If your water heater is sediment-clogged, inefficient, or poorly insulated, you’re probably utilizing more water at a higher pressure than you need to achieve the ‘hot water’ you want. Don’t put up with a water heater that is inefficient. When replacing a water heater, choose for an on-demand system that helps you save water and electricity, resulting in cheaper utility bills.
If your water expenses have increased without explanation, you should investigate whether your water heater is to blame. Discuss a plan with Magnificient Plumbing, your local plumber, to troubleshoot your high water usage and execute a strategy to conserve water and reduce your water costs.
Will a leaking hot water heater raise your electric bill?
Hot water leaks from an electric water heater are the most prevalent plumbing-related cause of high electricity bills. Check for hot water leaks if you notice an increase in your bill for a month or two in a row.
What should you do if your water heater starts to leak?
The area around your tank may flood as the tank is constantly refilling due to the water heater leak. Water seeping from your water heater can harm your floors, sub-floors, and walls even if it is only a tiny amount. A major flood could result in large repair expenditures and personal property loss. Water heater leaks can also be hazardous to one’s health, as they can lead to mold and mildew growth.
Is it necessary to be concerned if my water heater is leaking?
A leaking water heater does not necessarily imply it needs to be replaced, but any leaks should be repaired as soon as possible. Even a small bit of water can cause significant harm, so it’s critical to assess the situation right away. First, determine the source of the leak.
What causes excessive water use?
- Most prevalent is a leaking toilet or a toilet that continues to run after being flushed.
- A leaky faucet can waste as much as 20 gallons of water every day.
- Adding water to a swimming pool or topping it off
- Check for an open hose bib when watering the lawn, fresh grass, or trees.
- Check irrigation systems and automatic systems; you may need to reprogram some of them.
- Guests; children at home during summer vacations or school holidays;
- Air conditioners that are cooled by water
- Check the pipes and water heater in the basement or crawlspace if you have a broken water pipe or a visible leak.
- Problems with water softeners – they keep cycling.
- During cold weather, run the water to keep the pipes from freezing.
- Check for damp spots in your yard if your service line between your water meter and your home is leaking.
Water use is generally higher during the summer due to lawns, pools, and gardening. In a typical month, a household of four uses 4000-5000 gallons of water.
Do-It-Yourself Toilet Assessment
- Remove the cover from the tank behind the toilet, flush it, and wait for it to fully refill.
- Fill the tank with food coloring or a colorful dye tablet (sold at Town Hall).
- Wait at least 20 minutes, or even longer if you detect a minor leak.
- There is a leak if there is any color in the toilet bowl.
An incorrectly adjusted or broken fill (ballcock) valve is the second most prevalent type of leak. Remove the lid from the toilet tank, flush, and look for water draining into the overflow tubes when the tank is full to see whether this is the case.
For various sizes of leaks, the following table indicates the amount of water that can be lost and billed to your account:
What’s the deal with my hot water heater consuming so much power?
Minerals in the water cause sediment buildup in most electric water heaters. Minerals fall to the bottom of the tank and settle when the water heats up. Sediment can build up on the lower heating element over time, lowering the hot water tank’s performance. When the lower heating element isn’t working properly, it takes more electricity to heat the water. It’s possible that a sulfur odor is a sign of silt buildup. If you want to get rid of the problem, drain the tank and rinse out the sediment.
Is it true that water heaters consume a lot of electricity?
However, your hot water heater consumes a significant amount of electricity. The second largest consumer of electricity in your home is water heating systems. According to the US Department of Energy, this accounts for 18% of your total electricity bills.
What are the warning signals that your hot water heater is about to fail?
Water heaters made today are significantly more durable and dependable than those made just five years ago. If you just bought a new water heater, you may expect at least ten years of quiet, efficient, and mainly maintenance-free service. Older machines, on the other hand, can hum, pop, and clang as they near the end of their useful lives, producing disappointingly lukewarm water.
Your move:
If your water heater is in the double digits, and especially if it’s exhibiting any of the above danger signals, it’s time to upgrade to a newer model. Your showers will be more relaxing, and your monthly bills may drop as well. New models can be up to 20% more efficient than older, conventional models, saving you up to $700 in energy bills over the life of the water heater, according to HouseLogic. When it’s time to replace your hot water heater, you have a variety of options to choose from, including tank, tankless, hybrid heat pump, and solar models.
What are the signs that your hot water heater is leaking?
Is your water heater simply making a noise or is it leaking? Water heater leaks are frequently indicated by the sounds of rushing water, rising water bills, and visible water damage. To avoid damage and water waste, learn how to detect if your water heater is leaking.
Use Your Ears to Hear the Water Heater Leaking
If you’re worried about a water leak, turn off all external sources of sound, such as the radio or television, and rely on your senses. Many times, you might hear a leak before you notice any signs of water damage. If you hear water gushing or dripping next to your water heater, follow the sound and look for visual evidence of a leak. If you hear water but don’t see a leak, there could be a leak inside the tank. This can occur as a result of normal wear and tear and necessitates the tank’s replacement.
Use Your Eyes to Look for Signs of the Water Heater Leaking
If the leak is sluggish, many leaks are present, or water is gathering around a probable source, determining the exact exit site of a water leak can be difficult. Because the unit is encased in an insulating blanket, it can be difficult to spot a leak. As a result, knowing the most typical locations where water heater leaks occur is beneficial.
Look at the Top of the Heater
Examine the top of the heater, which is where the water enters and exits the tank. Because the tubes entering the tank are subject to leaks owing to high pressure, here is where a water heater is most likely to fail.
- Examine the tubes or pipes themselves, as well as the entry points where they contact the tank, to see if they’ve lost their seal.
- Check the tank’s pressure relief valve, which is located towards the top. Older valves leak from time to time and must be changed due to wear and tear.
Check the Bottom of the Heater
Water heater leaks are most usually caused by the drain valve, which is positioned at the bottom of the tank.
- Check for leaking water at the drain valve. If a tiny trickle occurs, a garden hose cap or sprayer can be used to stop the leak until the valve can be replaced. Replacing the drain valve is a straightforward and affordable procedure.
- A leak inside the tank wall could be the cause of a pool of water accumulating beneath the tank.
- Sediment buildup in the tank’s bottom might damage the inner lining and lead to failure. When you add in the wear and strain of heating and cooling water, it’s usually time for a new water heater.
Electric Water Heater Leaks Versus Gas Water Heater Leaks
If you haven’t identified a leak but wish to investigate further, the next steps are dependent on whether your water heater is gas or electric.
Electric Water Heater
Turn off the electricity to your electric water heater if you fear it’s leaking but aren’t sure where it’s coming from. Remove the access panel and safety shield to inspect for evidence of discoloration and water heater leakage around the elements.
If there are leaks but the tank is still relatively new, nuts and bolts may need to be tightened. Elements washers may need to be replaced if this does not work.
Gas Water Heater
Condensation may be building inside the tank of a gas heater if you observe rust without symptoms of a leak. Check for water leaking onto the burner with your eyes and ears while it is in use.
Between heating cycles, water spilling onto the burner could indicate a tank failure. If you notice this, you can cut off the gas using a switch or dial on the heater’s side until the tank is replaced. Condensation from the tank could also cause a puddle on the floor.
Make sure your water heater is properly anchored to the wall, regardless of whether it runs on gas or electricity. During an earthquake, you don’t want it to fall. Local hardware stores sell bracing kits to make this operation go faster and easier.
What to Do Once You’ve Found a Water Heater Leak
Once you’ve determined that your water heater is leaking, turn off the power breaker (if it’s an electric heater) or turn off the gas supply switch (or turn down the dial).
Next, turn off the heater’s water supply. If you’re not sure where the valve is, follow the pipe into the heater until you find it, then close it. Righty tighty, lefty loosey, righty tighty, lefty loosey, righty tighty, lefty loosey
Small repairs, such as tightening a loose connection or adjusting the pressure release valve, can be done by you. If the pressure relief valve is leaking, for example, it could be due to a high temperature setting. Reduce the temperature to see if the problem goes away.
It may be simpler than you think to replace your water heater with a new, more energy-efficient model. Pacific Gas and Electric Company has rebates available. You will save time and money in the long term. Older, less efficient models take longer to heat water and use more energy.
The best bet for most repairs is to hire a plumber. If there is a leak inside the tank, it is possible that the entire device has been destroyed and will need to be replaced. Note that outdated water heaters must be properly disposed of, and your plumber will be able to guide you through the many options.
To learn more about how to detect water leaks in your house, go to San Jose Water’s website.
What makes you think a water heater might leak from the bottom?
This is bad news if water is leaking from the bottom of the tank. When the tank of a water heater becomes broken or rusted to the point of leaking, it loses structural integrity and is unable to manage internal pressure. Failure to properly maintain your water heater is the most common cause of internal tank leaks. Every six months, a water heater’s tank should be flushed to remove sediment. If you don’t do this, sediment will build up inside the tank, causing corrosion. These leaks will begin small, but as pressure builds, they will become larger. If your water heater has an internal tank leak, you’ll need to replace it.