Do it yourself: How to Insulate an Electric Water Heater Tank

What You'll Need:
Insulation Kit (Insulation Blanket)
Measuring Tape
Insulating Pipe Tape
Large Scissors or Utility Knife
Duse Mask 
Gloves
Marking Pencil


Electric water heater tank is usually set up in your utility room, basement or garage. It keeps somewhere around 30 to 60 gallons of water ready for your disposal. However, it costs families a lot of money since it uses up more energy than one can imagine in order to maintain the water warm all day. In order to reduce your electricity bills and save costs, insulate your water heater tank to better maintain the temperature. Below is a step-by-step guide to insulate your heater tank.

Step 1 - Clear the Area

Clear up the space surrounding the electric water heater tank. Clean the top and outside of the heater tank, or else the adhesive tape wonít grip firmly. If the water heater tank is strapped to prevent it falling, take off the strap prior to installation.

Step 2 - Take measurements of the Water Heater Tank

Use a measuring tape to determine the height and the circumference of the heater tank. Add extra three to four inches to the measurement so when you cut the insulation there's sufficient coverage without compressing the heater.

Step 3 - Cut the Insulation Blanket

Roll out and set the insulation sheet on the ground with the plastic side facing up. Draw the measurements from step 2 on the blanket using a marking pencil. Cut the insulation blanket to size using a utility knife or a pair of scissors. Along one edge of the blanket, which will run from top to bottom of heater tank, cut away one inch of fiberglass battling from the plastic. The flap is going to be used to secure and overlap the blanket at a later stage.

Step 4 - Test Fit Insulation Blanket

Test fit the insulation blanket by wrapping around the heater. If it fits perfectly, use tape strips to keep the sheet in place. If it looks like it's too loose, cut excess from the blanketís borders, the edge where you did not cut the fiberglass battling in step 3, until it fits. Then, tape it securely closed.

Step 5 - Cut openings in the Blanket

Try to find the heaterís control by feeling through the insulation sheet. Once you feel where the controls are, cut a 3-sided opening flap on the sheet using scissors. Keep the top of the flap uncut. Now you can access to the controls and thermostat by lifting up the flap when needed, and the flap will fall back to its place when you are finished.

Step 6 - Insulate the Top of Electric Water Heater Tank

Calculate the heaterís top diameter. Add extra inches to the measurement and cut a circle form from the remaining insulation blanket. The excess ensures you have overlap to tape down. Cut slots in the circle. This enables you to slide it onto the electrical cable and the pipes. Do not cover the relief valve. When all is fitted perfectly, use tape strips to tape up slits, if any, and secure the insulation blanket onto the tankís top.

Step 7 - Put Back the Strap

Put back the strap, if any, you have removed prior to insulating in step 1.

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