Manage Hot Water System Thermostat Efficiency

How Hot Water System Thermostats Work

A thermostat regulates your water heater by acting as a temperature-sensitive switch, controlling ignition and water temperature in response to the heating source, whether it’s gas, electric, solar or another technology.

In a storage water heater, the thermostat gauges the water’s temperature within the tank. When your water cools below the thermostat’s set temperature, it triggers the heating system to turn on and reheat it. The typical temperature for your thermostat for storage systems is around 60 degrees Celsius. The thermostat switches off the heating system once the water reaches the preset temperature.

In a continuous flow system, the thermostat activates the heat exchanger to warm the water instantly upon detecting water flow when a tap is opened, and ceases heating when the tap is closed.

If the thermostat falters, the system could overheat, causing unnecessary energy use in your endeavor to manage it. To release pressure build-up from water turning into steam, storage water heaters come with a pressure relief valve. Setting thermostats too high leads to energy wastage by heating water more than required.

Recommended Temperature Settings

The ideal thermostat temperature setting depends on whether you have a storage or a continuous flow system type:

• For a storage water heater, you should set the thermostat to 60 degrees Celsius. This temperature effectively kills bacteria while minimising standby heat loss.
• With a continuous flow water heater, do not set the thermostat above 50 degrees Celsius. Higher temperatures can cut back on efficiency since the system only heats water on demand.

Settings higher than necessary not only lead to excess energy consumption but may also encourage bacterial growth in the system or pipes. Ensure you adopt the most efficient temperature setting to cut down your system’s energy consumption.

Here are some other tips for efficiency:

• Insulate hot water pipes and storage tanks to reduce heat loss during standby periods.
• You can adjust the thermostat lower during warmer months, which saves energy when there’s less demand for hot water.
• To address lukewarm water in winter, consider increasing the thermostat setting slightly.
• Clean out sediment and get professional servicing every 2 years.

Adjusting your thermostat lower can significantly reduce the amount of energy use reflected on your energy bills. Properly maintaining your system safeguards low energy use for your hot water, ensuring it operates both safely and efficiently for the long haul.

Insulating Your Hot Water System and Pipes

Insulating your hot water system and pipes effectively reduces energy consumption and lowers energy costs. Insulation creates a barrier that prevents heat loss from hot water pipes and storage tanks.

Hot water loses heat to the surrounding air through uninsulated tanks and pipes, causing substantial energy loss and higher energy bills. Insulation helps retain heat, thereby decreasing the frequency of reheating water and conserving energy.

Benefits of Insulating

Here are some of the main benefits of insulating hot water systems and pipes:

• Reduces energy consumption by minimising standby heat loss in pipes and tanks
• Can lower energy bills by up to 10-12% annually
• Pays for itself in energy savings within 1-2 years
• Keeps water hotter for longer with less reheating
• Allows lowering the thermostat temperature while maintaining hot water supply
• Extends the life of water heating systems

What to Insulate

Any pipes or tanks carrying hot water should be insulated, including:

• Hot water storage tanks and solar hot water tanks
• Hot water supply lines from the heater to fixtures
• Recirculating hot water return lines in larger systems
• Insulating even short pipe runs to appliances improves efficiency

It’s also wise to insulate cold water lines to guard against condensation and leaks.

Types of Insulation

Common insulation materials for hot water plumbing include:

• Pipe wrap - Flexible tubing slit along the side to wrap around pipes
• Pipe lagging - Rigid half-cylinders fitted around straight pipe runs
• Blankets - Flexible batts wrapped around tanks and heaters

Optimal insulation with an R-value of at least R1.5, such as closed-cell foam or rubber, provides excellent moisture resistance and efficiency.

Professional Installation

While DIY kits are available, hiring a licenced plumber ensures proper materials and technique:

• Precisely sized materials to fully seal tanks and pipes
• Insulation that’s securely installed to ensure long-term durability
• Access to hard-to-reach spots like roof tanks

Professional evaluations pinpoint where insulation is essential, which is particularly important if your system operates above optimal levels. Moreover, skilled installers can completely weatherproof insulation for outdoor components.

The energy savings from insulating water systems accumulate significantly over time. The initial cost of insulation is swiftly offset by subsequent energy savings.

Troubleshooting Thermostat Issues

Thermostat issues can lead to a number of problems with your hot water system, from fluctuating temperatures to complete failure. Promptly identifying and fixing thermostat issues is vital for safety, system efficiency, and avoiding expensive future repairs.

Signs of Thermostat Failure

Watch for these common signs your thermostat may be malfunctioning:

• The water temperature is inconsistent, alternating between hot and cold
• Water is lukewarm or takes too long to get hot
• Storage tank makes knocking or rumbling noises
• Unexpectedly high energy bills
• Burner constantly ignites even with no hot water use
• Pressure relief valve opens, releasing water
• Error code display on digital controllers

Even intermittent problems can do harm and should be addressed before they worsen or cause damage.

Causes of Thermostat Issues

Common causes of faulty thermostats include:

• Parts wearing out over time
• Sediment buildup interfering with sensors
• Electrical shorts from water leaks or corrosion
• Voltage spikes damaging circuitry
• Pests nesting around wiring

Sediment accumulation over time can result in thermostat malfunction.

Safety Considerations

If thermostat issues are suspected, proceed with caution. Issues like overheating tanks can lead to dangerous pressure build up. Also Exercise caution to avoid electric shock, particularly from exposed wiring behind the system’s access panel.

Rather than tackling extensive repairs yourself, contact a licenced plumber to assess the thermostat and system. Professionals have specialised tools and expertise for safely diagnosing issues. They can also check associated parts like heating elements and recommend solutions tailored to your specific unit.

DIY Quick Fixes

For basic troubleshooting, first try these quick steps:

1. Power cycle the thermostat by turning it off and on again to reset it
2. Use test/reset buttons on controllers to troubleshoot
3. Remove corrosion from electrical connections
4. Check fuses/breakers feeding power to the unit
5. Examine wiring for any loose connections or damage
6. Clear any obstructions around thermostat sensors

Should problems continue or if in doubt, cease further attempts to repair. Schedule a service with qualified technicians to restore your system’s reliability.

Catching and correcting small thermostat issues promptly keeps systems safer and more energy efficient over time. Ignoring problems risks escalating damage, so engage experts at the first signs of trouble.