Best Overall
Frost King SP60 Water Heater Insulation Blanket
Best Bang for the Buck
US Energy Products 80-Gallon Water Heater Blanket Kit
Best Lightweight
Reflecto-Foil 60-Gallon Water Heater Jacket
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Homeowners are always face for way to decrease their monthly broadsheet . One room to do that is by meliorate the efficiency of their household system . For instance , traditional armored combat vehicle - style water heaters constantly heat and reheat urine , which is n’t a highly effective agency tosupply a home with blistering pee . If a more efficient ( though high-priced ) tankless organization is n’t in your budget and it ’s not yet time to replace your water bullet , consider taking steps to increase your hot water warmer ’s efficiency and save you money .
One of the simplest methods to do this is with a water heater covering . This body of water heater mantle insularity will help concord passion longer and keep the water smoke from run as often . With this minor addition , you ’ll be capable to minify your home plate ’s vigour consumption and downcast your monthly heating plant billhook . Our favourite was theFrost King SP60 Water Heater Insulation Blanket , a fiberglass product with ranking insulating abilities . We tested six models to avail determine the best water heater blanket for your plate .
Product Comparison
Our Top Picks
Choosing the good water supply heater blanket for your needs is a somewhat straightforward process , and you ’ll have all the information you demand after you translate up on the top merchandise described below . Be sure to keep our considerateness in mind when equate urine heater cover to make an informed selection .
Our Ratings : Installation4.5/5 ; Effectiveness4.5/5 ; Value4.5/5
When it comes to insulate a water supply heater as much as possible , Frost King ’s SP60 water system hummer insulation mantle is elusive to pound . This fiberglass insulation is 3 inches wooden-headed , provide an insulation value of R-10 . The blanket is nonflammable and has a foil face to reflect as much heat energy back into the storage tank as possible . At 90 inch long by 60 inch wide , this production is suitable for heater up to 60 Imperial gallon . Different size options are available for smaller hummer .
Once install , the Frost King mantle does a great job . That said , be train for facility . Since the product contains fiberglass , we commend don tenacious arm , glove , oculus protection , and a rubble mask . Also , take the time to mensurate your water supply hummer before unrolling the hot H2O heater cover . Once you unroll it , be fain to quickly contract and install to ensure the least amount of pic to the fiberglass . Although this mathematical product come in with foil tape measure , we were unimpressed by the quality and backed it up with some extra foil tape .
Yes , we disliked the instalment , but we ca n’t argue with the results . This first-rate - chummy blanket really made our red-hot water fastball snug for the winter .
Get the Frost King piss hummer blanket atAmazonorWalmart .
Our Ratings : Installation4.5/5 ; Effectiveness4.5/5 ; Value5/5
If you ’re research body of water bullet blankets , saving money is already on your mind . The US Energy Products bullet blanket kit provides everything you want from blanket to tape to tender for one low-cost monetary value . This is an ideal alternative for someone who does n’t have a portion of tools on hired man . With its two layers of air bubbles inside the foil face , this axial rotation of transparency - case detachment offers both reflective insulation and a thermal barrier .
This hot water hummer wrap comes with enough cloth to wrap water hummer between 20 and 80 congius . It features a commercial-grade - ground level figure that ’s resistant to tearing for added lastingness . We appreciated the pattern with idea of our curious true cat in mind ; we wo n’t have to be concerned about detachment strewn across our utility elbow room . This kit come in with tape included and although it was probably sufficient to get the job done , we do recommend purchase additional tape just in case so you do n’t run out of tape recording in the centre of the job . in person , we used a piece more than was included , but it ’s potential we fit a lilliputian overboard .
Photo: Jodi Webb for Bob Vila
Get the US Energy Products 80 - gallon water heater blanket atAmazonorUS Energy Products .
At first coup d’oeil , the Reflecto - Foil isolate blanket for a water heater seems unimpressive . However , upon closer interrogatory you ’ll see that even though it is lightweight there is a honeycomb of insulation sandwich between the foil layers . With this water fastball jacket , you could maintain armoured combat vehicle temperature without receive to supervise a bulky covering . This kit come with a roll of enhancer - case insulation that measures 72 inches prospicient by 76 column inch wide , allowing users to insulate tanks between 50 and 60 gallons . It ’s also Class 1 / category A blast rated .
Because our water system heater is cram into a nasty corner , the lightweight plan of this insulation cover made it the idealistic choice . We value how sluttish it was to turn off ( we incur a box cutter and scissor grip as effective ) peculiarly when conform to it around pipes . The kit includes the foil taping and spacers ( little chunks of foam used to make a reproducible perimeter around the army tank ) necessary for installing it on a sort of tank sizes .
Photo: Jodi Webb for Bob Vila
Get the Reflecto - Foil 60 - gallon water supply heater blanket atAmazon .
Best Multipurpose
US Energy Products 10-Foot Reflective Foam Insulation
If you have several insulation project in your architectural plan , the reflective foam water heater insularity blanket from US Energy Products can meet all your needs with one leverage . After envelop your water heater , you ’ll have plenteousness of leftover insulation , as the atomic number 13 - polyester foam insulant comes in a 10 - substructure rolling . We actually had enough to wrap our water smoke and our neighbour ’s ! Since it ’s only 48 inches broad , though , it might not be suitable for tall water heaters .
This ware include a foam thermal roadblock and a pensive transparency surface to reflect heat back into the tank . It is an well-heeled - to - piece of work - with cloth that has function beyond water heaters ; we think it would be idealistic as a water bullet pipe insulation product . It boast a fire - resistant rating of Class 1 / Class A , and since it ’s a fiberglass - liberal product , you do n’t have to be concern about working with slack fibers .
Get the US Energy Products 10 - foot urine bullet blanket atAmazonorUS Energy Products .
Jodi Webb for Bob Vila
More Great Options
We want to mention these extra products that have trait that may make them the idealistic alternative for your rest home . Although these Cartesian product were not quiz , we are recommend them on the strength of our inquiry , consumer reviews and additional information from the manufacturer .
Best Easy Installation
SmartJacket 80-Gallon Water Heater Blanket
Want to retain a high-pitched level of insulation great power but do n’t need to work with fibreglass and all the rubber precautions that go along with it ? check over out this body of water warmer blanket from SmartJacket . This ⅛-inch - blockheaded foil - type insulating material kit hail in an 80 - inch - farseeing roll , which is good deal of fabric to isolate water heaters with tankful between 20 and 80 gallons .
The ease of facility hit this a good choice for newbie DIYers . It come with the foil tape necessary to secure it around the tankful , but it ’s a good idea to gift in an extra roll just in case . The material is easy to cut for use around drainage and burners , and while there is no mention of fire resistance in the intersection entropy , foil is n’t inflammable .
Get the SmartJacket body of water warmer cover atAmazonorWalmart .
Jodi Webb for Bob Vila
Best for Small Tanks
Reflecto-Foil 40-Gallon Water Heater Jacket
corrupt a large kit to insulate a minor armoured combat vehicle can be a wasteland of money , so it ’s more price - effective to buy only the cloth you demand . Reflecto - Foil ’s water bullet jacket is designed to go with water warmer tanks up to 40 gallons to salve cash and avoid wasted cloth .
This outfit features a roll of Class 1 / social class A fervor - rated foil insularity , foil tape recording , and the spacers ( little chunks of froth used to make a consistent circumference around the army tank ) necessary for a estimable fit . The roll of insulation measures 76 inches foresighted by 48 column inch extensive to cover most small piss warmer storage tank with simpleness . And because it ’s fiberglass - spare , there ’s no pauperism to care about wear longsighted sleeves or other protective power train .
Get the Reflecto - Foil 40 - gallon piddle heater blanket atAmazon .
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Chose and Tested Water Heater Blankets
In choosing the best body of water heater blankets among those presently on the market , we look at two top factors : textile and size . Our listing of recommendations embrace the most democratic case of water fastball blanks , include thick fiberglass pick as well as thinner foam and foil options .
We also made sure to include a image ofsizeson our listing with options to cover most weewee heater shapes . For strangely form water hummer with awkward pipage , we included good word for several well-fixed - to - cut option that can fit snugly around even the most difficult pee fastball shapes or those in cockeyed spaces .
What to Consider When Choosing a Water Heater Blanket
Before shit for a water heater blanket , read this section to understand the agent and features to keep in mind . This will avail you make an informed conclusion .
Material
When perusing water heater blankets , you ’ll comment that there are a few different eccentric available . This mostly come in down to the type of insulating cloth . Some are easier to work with during installation than others , as they often need to be pare to fit individual urine heaters .
You may also find combinations of materials , such as fiberglass insularism with a hydrofoil face . This can offer the just of both worlds , as it expend a fatheaded , insulating layer of air scoop and radiates heat back into the tank .
Size
piss heaters , like most convenience , number in different size . The sizing of house and family and the number of cesspit and shower all dissemble how large a water heater a dwelling need . While water heaters run between 30 and 98 gallons , 40- , 50- , and 60 - gallon tankful are the plebeian sizes used in homes .
weewee heater blankets also come in similar size of it , so it ’s of import to rule one that will work for your tank . If you have a50 - gallon cooler , finding a H2O heater cover to equip it should be no problem . body of water heater blankets big enough to go 98 - gallon tanks , commonly find in commercial options , may be knockout to track down .
Thickness
When it follow to materials such as fiberglass , cotton , and denim , the thicker the water heater cover , the better it will be at isolate . A pee bullet site in a cool basement calls for a thicker blanket . Thicker blanket will do a good job of break the coolheaded air and the heat radiating from the tank car than thinner ones .
Because foil influence primarily by reflecting the warmth or else of relying on an air - pocket roadblock , it need n’t be thick to function efficiently . Most water heater blankets made with enhancer are less than ½ column inch thick , which is another reason foil H2O smoke blankets are so sluttish to cultivate with .
Insulating Power
Just like your rest home ’s insulation , water warmer cover total in a variety of insulant ratings . These rating are described as universal gas constant - value , where the R put up for resistance . The higher the roentgen - value , the more resistance the detachment has against heat transfer . Essentially , more is full .
The highest gas constant - time value you ’re likely to get for a residential body of water heater blanket is R-11 , but note value of R-7 and R-8 are more common . To get the most from your investment , it ’s good to use the water heater blanket with the highest universal gas constant - value .
It ’s significant to keep in mind , though , that transparency - type insulation seldom offer an gas constant - value ; universal gas constant - value hold to fiberglass and other similar type of detachment .
Photo: Amazon
Fire Resistance
Water heaters have burner assembly that get very hot . The point of insulating a water supply heater is to save up vigor and money , not cause a flak . Different water heater mantle stuff have varying degrees of fire resistance to combat that risk of infection . While the most mutual designation is Class 1 / Class A , it ’s helpful to jazz which types are the most fire resistant .
If fire impedance is of farthermost importance , a fiberglass or foil water smoke blanket is the agency to go . Some fiberglass or foil product are n’t fire rated , but that does n’t imply they ’re dangerous . Just be trusted to keep the insulant clean-cut of the burner by a few inch .
Versatility
There aretwo types of water heaters : electric and gas . Electric water bullet have a warming element inside that brace and heats the water that wall it . Gas water heatershave burner underneath that kick on to heat water through convection .
luckily , water heater mantle are interchangeable between the two water supply heater eccentric . However , if you have a flatulency - powered warmer , it ’s crucial that the mantle does n’t cover or otherwise embarrass the flue pipe ( aka fumes ) at the top . If you have an electric model , the blanket must not cover or embarrass its ascendance box or access panel , typically located on the side of the cooler . Also , be sure to cut the insularity back from the burner by at least 2 inches while set up .
FAQs
For extra information about buying and using the best water heater blanket , consider the answer to these ofttimes asked questions .
A great water heater cover will extend a blend of insulation value , cost - effectivity , and fervor resistance .
It depends on the size of your tank . Generally speaking , maker label their pee heater blankets according to the size of the tank they ’ll cover . If you ’re unsure , measure your tank ’s height and circuit , and compare it to the measurements on the package .
Photo: Amazon
Water hummer blankets are humiliated maintenance , but fiberglass , cotton , and denim can begin to smell and halt insulating if they get wet . It ’s a just idea to learn on your water bullet blanket a few times a year to ensure it ’s still in good consideration .
Undamaged water warmer blankets may far outlast a water heater . Theaverage gas weewee heater lasts between 8 and 12 year , while the average electric water heater lasts 10 to 15 years . A water heater blanket continue in good experimental condition will outlive a water system heater without issue .
The most efficient way to set up a water heater blanket is to assess the height and circumference of your tankful before unrolling the product , permit for an surplus 2 inches for the circumference so you may overlap the product . Premeasuring allows you to swiftly foreshorten the product to size using cutter or scissor hold . Wrap the tank with the mantle , and secure it in place with foil tape pose vertically along the crinkle . Cover the top of the tank with two half circles of material , and stop up it in place with foil tapeline . Ensure that you ignore openings for the venting thug , pressure relief valve , burner access screening , and wiring connection box . Make the hole about 2 inches larger than each possible action to allow airflow .
Photo: Amazon
Any steps you could take to keep your water system hot without additional reheating of the water is worth it . The water heater cover does just this and is an inexpensive leverage . In most case , you should be able-bodied to recoup your investiture when instal an insulator mantle .
When in good order install , spicy piss heater blankets are safe to use . The most of import thing is to ensure proper airflow around all fixtures by cutting slightly larger opening night around valve , hoods , burners , etc . Do n’t blank out that some blanket carry fiberglass , and those installing the product should wear safety goggles , a dust mask , gloves , and long sleeves , then cautiously cleanse the area after installation to transfer any isolated fiberglass fiber .
Meet the Tester
Jodi Webb is a DIYer who tests products with her contractor husband so readers get the advantages of both an expert ’s and DIYer ’s standpoint . She visited several neighbors behave water hummer cover and was able-bodied to screen the product in a variety of setup .
Additional research provided by Tom Scalisi .
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