Hot water costs

Will switching from a 30 gal. to a 80 gal. electric water heater in a situation where alot of hot water is used (8 kids) reduce the electric bill enough to make a noticable difference? Many Thanks.

 

It wont really make any difference. The only way is if it is on a timer where you can buy power on off peak hours. It still takes the same BTU's to heat a gallon of water in a big heater or a small heater. If you have any other gas appliances that might be an option as I think it is cheaper. If you have any way of preheating water it really helps. I have 4 well tanks painted black sitting in the sun for my migrant shower house before it heats a booster heater (if needed) and it saves gobs of gas for multiple showers and laundry. That would depend on the climate for year around use or you could valve that setup for summer use. Its a version of solar panels which would also work.

 

Gas is quite a bit cheaper than electric in these parts.

It also helps to wrap the heater in insulation designed for the purpose. Pipe wraps also help.

 

I don't think it will reduce your bill at all. It will only give you more available hot water. You still have to heat the water you use. It might even cost you more because running out of hot water would restrict the amount that could be used in one use.

 

I'm betting that getting the 80 gallon water heater will significantly increase your electric bill. Sometimes teenagers don't get out of the shower until the water turns cold.

 

Some of us go right on by and miss the reality of it all. Sometimes it doesnt have anything to do with electric does it? That wouldnt have occured to me to answer it that way,,, but come to think of it I have done that myself.

 

How true! Perhaps the timer should be installed in the plumbing instead of the water heater -- and set to five minutes!

 

I'm betting that getting the 80 gallon water heater will significantly increase your electric bill, as now you will be keeping 2½ times as much water hot.