Which statement best describes the energy savings impact of insulating the water heater and hot water piping?

Which statement best describes the energy savings impact of insulating the water heater and hot water piping?

• A. A costly upgrade with no payoff
• B. Only reduces heat loss by a small amount
• C. One of the easiest ways to make an immediate impact on energy savings
• D. Has no impact on energy use

Answer: (C)

Insulation cuts standby heat loss from both the water heater tank and the hot water pipes, so the system spends less energy keeping water hot when no one is drawing it. Because this is a simple, low-cost retrofit you can often do yourself, the energy savings show up quickly and with a relatively short payback. This is especially true on older, poorly insulated tanks or long pipe runs, where the amount of heat leaking away is significant. So insulating the tank and its piping is typically one of the easiest, most cost-effective moves to reduce energy use, with noticeable impact without changing how you use hot water. It isn’t a costly upgrade with no payoff, it isn’t limited to a tiny improvement, and it certainly isn’t without any impact.

Insulation cuts standby heat loss from both the water heater tank and the hot water pipes, so the system spends less energy keeping water hot when no one is drawing it. Because this is a simple, low-cost retrofit you can often do yourself, the energy savings show up quickly and with a relatively short payback. This is especially true on older, poorly insulated tanks or long pipe runs, where the amount of heat leaking away is significant. So insulating the tank and its piping is typically one of the easiest, most cost-effective moves to reduce energy use, with noticeable impact without changing how you use hot water. It isn’t a costly upgrade with no payoff, it isn’t limited to a tiny improvement, and it certainly isn’t without any impact.