Save on electric water heating

If you only use an electric water heater at certain times of the day, youre wasting electricity keeping the water hot 24-7. To solve that problem, install an electronic timer switch (Photo 1; sold at home centers). Timers are available for 120 and 240 volt heaters. They can be programmed for daily or weekly schedules so you only heat the water when you need it. A timer can save you $25 per year.To make your water heater even more efficient, drain the tank and flush out the sediment at the bottom (Photo 2). Otherwise, you could be heating through inches of sediment before heating the water.If your electric water heater is warm or hot to the touch, its losing heat. Wrap it with an insulating blanket (sold at home centers).