Measure Your Pipe

If you are like many people, you turn on the hot water, only to wait several minutes for it to reach the faucet. Not only is this a waste of water, but it is also costing you money each time. But, what can be done? The answer, according to experts, is to insulate your pipes with pipe wrap and adjust your water heater accordingly. The best thing is, this is a relatively inexpensive, quick project that nearly any homeowner can accomplish on their own.

Measure Your Pipes

The first thing you need to do is measure all the visible hot water pipes leading from your water heater. This will tell you the amount of pipe wrap you will need in order to cover them properly. It is also a good idea to measure the water heater inlet pipe so you can insulate …show more content…
If you have a gas water heater, it is recommended that you use a one-inch thick fiberglass pipe wrap. For electric water heater sleeves, you will need acrylic or duct tape, or cable ties to secure them. For gas water heaters, use aluminum foil tape or wires to secure the wrap.

Installation

It is a good idea to begin the installation by measuring out and cutting all of the pieces you will need to adequately cover the pipes. Start with the pipe leading away from the hot water heater. The most vital space is the first three feet of pipe, so be sure to insulate this well. Install the foam or fiberglass with the slit facing downward. Secure the wrap by wrapping with tape, or wire, every one to two feet.

Adjust The Water Heater

Once your pipes are completely wrapped, you will notice that the hot water takes less time to travel to your faucets. You may also notice that the hot water you do get is warmer than normal. This is because it is traveling through insulated pipes, not losing heat along the way. That means you can lower the temperature of the water heater slightly, which will help to lower your energy