Can a Bad Hot Water Heater Affect an Electric Bill?

But even the most advanced and well-maintained heater will eventually become outdated.

If you’ve noticed your energy or water bills depleting your bank account, think back to when you had your heater installed. A durable, hardwearing heater might need one or two repairs. But a heater that shows visible signs of disrepair probably needs complete replacement. 

Leaky or Faulty Components

When certain parts fail to work efficiently, they too can influence the energy consumption of your household. Sometimes, major components like water heater tanks develop damage that causes pressure or leaks. Other times, a smaller part like a valve can slowly become rusted, unbeknownst to you.

In either case, the damage eventually leads to the appliance using more resources to do its job. A skilled technician can troubleshoot, diagnose, and solve the problem with professional repairs. Most of the time, the part is small and relatively inexpensive. However, some repairs warrant complete replacement services due to the price of the part and the condition of other pertinent components.

Avoid attempting part replacements by yourself. When an unskilled person attempts such tasks, they can further damage the water heater. 

Higher Energy Usage

Can a bad water heater affect an electric bill? Electric water heaters certainly can. One of the first signs of water heater failure is a sharp increase in your electricity bill. If you own a gas water heater, you might notice more expensive gas bills.

Should these issues catch your attention, try to investigate them. Stay alert for odd smells or sounds coming from the water heater. You can also inspect it for visible damage.

Electric water heaters often use more resources simply because they struggle to effectively complete the task for which they were designed. For example, you might run out of hot water more quickly. Your water heater may fail to heat cold water promptly.

Higher gas bills often signify a gas leak. This situation is often dangerous for plants, animals, and people. If you have skyrocketing gas bills because of your water heater, turn off your water heater. Call for emergency services and professional help immediately to ensure no harm comes to you, your property, or other people. 

Incorrect Heater Size

Another common reason behind high energy bills is water heaters that don’t fit the building or occupants’ needs. Some homeowners try to save money by purchasing an undersized water heater, only to pay more monthly expenses. If a water heater can’t keep up with household demands, it will inevitably use more resources to heat up and disperse hot water throughout a building. 

Mineral Buildup

Mineral buildup can cause similar problems to undersized water heaters. In areas with hard water, minerals like calcium and magnesium are common throughout the water. As the water travels throughout the plumbing system, the minerals may stick to the piping and appliances that use water.

This becomes a serious problem for water heaters. Since a water heater raises the temperature of the water, it effectively serves as a separator for minerals and water. The minerals will solidify and stick to the inner walls of the tank, gradually taking up more space over time.

You’ll notice this problem when:

• Water overheats quickly
• Your household uses up all hot water faster than normal
• Your water heater requires more energy to continuously heat a never-ending stream of water