Does hot water tank insulation work?
Andrew Henderson
Updated on April 06, 2026
Does hot water tank insulation work?
Research has shown that “adding insulation to your water heater tank can reduce standby heat losses by 25%–45%.” If someone sees those figures and doesn’t understand that “standby heat loss” is only a small part of the energy used by your water heater, that person might conclude that the blanket can save you up to 45 …
What is the best insulator for a hot water tank?
The Best Insulators to Keep Water Hot
- Fiberglass. Fiberglass consists of strands of glass woven together to make a kind of fabric.
- Foam Insulation. Foam insulation is made from polymer plastic derived from crude oil.
- Thermal Flask.
- Styrofoam.
- Other Materials.
Does wrapping your water heater really save energy?
If not, consider insulating your water tank, which could reduce standby heat losses by 25%–45% and save you about 7%–16% in water heating costs—and should pay for itself in about a year. If you don’t know your water heater tank’s R-value, touch it.
When should I drain my water heater?
It’s generally a good idea to drain your water heater at least once a year, according to both BobVila.com and The Family Handyman. If you live in an area with hard water, though, Angie’s List says you may need to drain it more frequently.
How much insulation does a hot water tank need?
If your water tank is new, it is likely already insulated. If you have an older hot water tank, check to see if it has insulation with an R-value of at least 24.
Do you have to insulate a gas water heater?
With gas water heaters, adding tank insulation must be done carefully because there’s a fire inside the tank and you have to be careful not to block the combustion air intake or get too close to the flue pipe, which is hot and can catch your tank wrap on fire.
Can you skip insulation on a water heater?
You may be able to skip adding water heater insulation and you may be able to save more on water heating cost if you simply use some of our other recommendations such as turning down hot water temperature, using less total hot water volume, or using staging tanks to “pre heat” incoming water to the water tank from ambient building heat.
How can I save energy by insulating my water heater?
For an electric water heater, you also might consider insulating underneath the tank as well. A ridged piece of insulation (or bottom board) will help prevent heat loss into the floor, and could save you another 4%–9% of water heating energy. It is best done when installing a new water heater.
Do you need to insulate your water heater tank?
Be sure that your water heater is not leaking. If your tank leaks, you need a new water heater. For an electric water heater, you also might consider insulating underneath the tank as well. A ridged piece of insulation (or bottom board) will help prevent heat loss into the floor, and could save you another 4%–9% of water heating energy.
For an electric water heater, you also might consider insulating underneath the tank as well. A ridged piece of insulation (or bottom board) will help prevent heat loss into the floor, and could save you another 4%–9% of water heating energy. It is best done when installing a new water heater.
You may be able to skip adding water heater insulation and you may be able to save more on water heating cost if you simply use some of our other recommendations such as turning down hot water temperature, using less total hot water volume, or using staging tanks to “pre heat” incoming water to the water tank from ambient building heat.
Why do hot water pipes need to be insulated?
There is one part of the hot water pipes that should always be insulated. Hot water in the tank often floats into the pipes when hot water isn’t being used. This is a result of poor design in American water heaters. With the pipes attached to the top of the tank, hot water in the tank moves up into the pipes by thermosiphon.
