would your electric bill go up if your electric water heater is outside and it gets cold outside?

by Water Heaters on July 12, 2010

my water heater is outside my home and is not covered at this time. my electric bill went up 0.00 this month. I was told that it may be because of my electric water heater being outside and the cold temperatures that we’ve been having may cause it to stay on more often than the summer time.


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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }

shawnd518 July 12, 2010 at 2:39 am

If it’s outside, it’s working harder.

Rick July 12, 2010 at 2:39 am

Absolutely, the colder it gets, the more it’s going to have to heat.

ggaryusa July 12, 2010 at 2:39 am

Yes, that is one reason.

Filipe July 12, 2010 at 2:39 am

yes.

Your water heater expends more energy to heat and keep the water heated if the temperature drops too much.

that hurts July 12, 2010 at 2:39 am

yes as it is losing heat all the time it needs more energy ie electric to maintain its tempeture in some it does not lose as much heat so there does not need as much electric

Mark M July 12, 2010 at 2:39 am

I agree with you, the cold weather outside would definitely make your water heater run longer. From experience, I know that covering the water heater with a specially designed blanket will let it retain more heat and run less even in the winter. The blanket is fiberglass covered with a foil outside. You can get them at any hardware store… Ace Hardware, Home Depot, Lowes, etc.

I don’t know if it’s windy where you are, but building a small shed around the water heater will help, too if wind is stealing away some of the heat.

JH5000 July 12, 2010 at 2:39 am

Yes, it has to run more to keep the water hot. You can buy hot water heater blankets to help insulate.

David firth July 12, 2010 at 2:39 am

Don’t forget that the water that’s feeding the heater will be extremely cold, so it will require a lot more energy to heat. If you insulated the heater and any exposed pipework it would help but i think its the cold water feed that is the main reason.

Me July 12, 2010 at 2:39 am

Short answer, yes. The performance of the appliance is reliant upon the ambient air temperature. So the colder it is, the harder it would be for the heater to keep up. Same with your homes’ furnace. The colder air pressure makes it run more to keep your home heated.

johncob July 12, 2010 at 2:39 am

Well, you appear to be into keeping the local wildlife warm, what a thoughtful person!!!!!
Create a slab-sided box around the tank, lining the insides of the box with cooking foil, do the same for the bottom, but put in some mesh vents. The box needs to be about 24 inches larger than the diameter of the tank. Fill the box with Granular insulation, put a weatherproof lid on top. For the box, some exterior ply,say 3/4" , at the corners 2" X 2" timber to make the corner, for the top, ensure it slopes away from the house,edge the top with 2"X 2" timber, then cover with roofing felt. If you live in a storm zone, then throw some bricks on top for insurance!

Tricia July 12, 2010 at 2:39 am

absolutely. perhaps an insulating blanket(Lowes) could be put around it to help some, but it really needs to be inside.

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