3 Ways Plumbing Issues Can Affect Your Energy Efficiency

Plumbing issues are a pain to deal with and can disrupt daily life in your Dwight, Illinois, home. However, many homeowners don’t realize that plumbing issues can also affect their home’s energy-efficiency levels. Here are three ways these problems can decrease your home’s efficiency.

Gaps in Heating

One of the biggest plumbing issues that affect your home’s energy efficiency is if your fixtures are too far away from the water heater. This can lead to water cooling before it reaches its destination. When the water comes out of the tap cooler than expected, users might turn up the heat even further, which uses more energy and leads to lower levels of efficiency. Gaps in pipe insulation can have the same effect. Proper placement of water heaters and complete insulation are vital for an efficient home.

Old Water Heater

Older water heaters can affect your energy efficiency as your home has to work harder to cool or heat water according to the home’s demands. Most older water heaters weren’t created with energy efficiency in mind and if yours is over 20 years old, it may be time to consider replacing it with a more efficient water heater. It’s important to look for an EnergyStar rating to ensure your new water heater is as efficient as possible.

Malfunctioning Pump

Heat pump-style water heaters heat your water by moving warmth from the air toward the water inside the tank instead of using a submerged electrical component. While heat pump water heaters are typically more energy efficient than conventional units, you may see a rise in energy usage if there’s something wrong with the internal mechanisms, as the pump has to use more electricity to draw heat in. If you think there’s something wrong with your pump, contact a professional; these systems are tricky to work with and require specialized equipment.

If you’re concerned that your plumbing has started to take a toll on your home’s energy efficiency, the experts at Popejoy Inc. can help assess your system and fix any issues. Give us a call today at (815) 692-4471 to set up an appointment!

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