Do Water Heater Heat Traps Improve Efficiency?

Understanding Heat Traps and Why You Need One

If you’ve never heard of heat traps, it may be because your water heater already has them. Heat traps are small devices that help prevent heat loss in tank-style water heaters, improving efficiency and reducing energy waste. They keep hot water from escaping through the pipes when the heater isn’t actively in use. Heat traps are a great efficiency feature, and they are standard on most new water heaters.

If you have an older water heater, it may not have a heat trap. Here’s how you can check:

• Look for a small, one-way valve on the hot and cold water pipes near the top of the heater.
• Check your water heater’s manual or manufacturer’s specifications to see if heat traps are mentioned.
• If you’re unsure, a professional plumber can inspect your system and confirm whether your heater has heat traps installed.

If your water heater doesn’t have a heat trap and is still working well, you can have one added during a routine maintenance check for a cost-effective upgrade.

Benefits of a Heat Trap

If you decide to add a heat trap to your current water heater, you will reap some real benefits. But upgrading to a high-efficiency water heater might be a better long-term solution. Newer models not only include heat traps but also have improved insulation, advanced burner technology, and better energy efficiency overall.

• Lower energy bills: New models use less energy.
• Faster recovery time: It takes less time to heat more water as it is used.
• Reduced carbon footprint: Energy-efficient models help conserve resources.

Go Tankless for Maximum Efficiency

If you want to take efficiency a step further, consider switching to a tankless water heater. Unlike traditional storage-type water heaters, tankless units heat water on demand, eliminating standby heat loss. Key benefits include:

• Unlimited hot water: Traditional tank heaters can run out of hot water if you use a lot at once. Tankless water heaters use an electric pilot and a hot propane flame to heat water instantly on demand. There’s no tank, so it can’t hit empty.
• Savings: Tankless water heaters save energy by instantly heating water when you need it, rather than keeping a large tank hot all the time. All that efficiency means you’ll also save money by lowering your energy costs by as much as 40%. And, we can help you take advantage of generous rebates from Rinnai.
• Flexibility: With no storage tank, a tankless water heater is small—even whole-house sizes take considerably less room than a 55-gallon tank. Most are about the size of a suitcase. It can also be wall-mounted, which means a tankless water heater can be placed just about anywhere in the house, including closets and crawl spaces.
• Longer equipment life: The primary culprit in the limited lifespan of a conventional water heater is the corrosive water stored in its tank. Because it doesn’t store water, a tankless water heater will last 18 to 20 years.

The Bottom Line

Heat traps are a valuable efficiency feature and easy to add to an older model. But if your water heater is outdated, upgrading to a new high-efficiency or tankless model is the best way to improve performance and reduce energy costs. Investing in a modern water heater ensures reliable hot water while saving money in the long run.

The pros at Pico can help you choose the best option for your needs, install it correctly, and provide maintenance and repairs. Enjoy energy efficiency and all the hot water you need with a new water heater! Contact us today to get started.