Water heater timers are devices that provide automatic control of electric water heaters. They can be programmed to turn a water heater off or on at times set by the homeowner. Energy savings are derived by reducing the on/off cycling a water heater normally does to maintain the water temperature and by the reduction in heat loss associated with a water tank losing its heat to the atmosphere.

A water heater less than 10 years old will have increased insulation levels within the tank, compared to older models. The savings potential for newer units utilizing a timer would be reduced because less heat is being lost to the atmosphere.

Water heater timers can be purchased at home improvement stores for $35-$55 and generally require an electrician to install, with the average cost running about $70. This makes the total cost $105-$125.

According to the Washington State University’s Energy Program, a water heater timer might save 36 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year on a well-insulated water heater. At the PUD’s current residential rate, this would mean a savings of under $4 per year. An older, poorly insulated tank located outside the house would result in higher savings. However, insulating the tank would be less expensive to install and result in greater savings.

You can find the website at www.energy.wsu.edu