Insulating hot water heaters

[sleddriver]

My electric WH is outside in a small closet. When opened during the Winter, it's warm inside. So I wrapped it in insulation and made a collar on top about 6" deep to insulate the top. No more warm closet in Winter!

 

[wtd]

I've had my gas water heater insulated for years. I noticed soon after insulating it that the water was a lot hotter than before. My house was built in 1992 and I'm still running the original water heater.

Wayne

 

[SHOZ]

I had a fiberglass blanket on mine for years. Then I put some of that reflective bubble wrap on it and what a difference. I put the fiberglass over the bubble wrap too.

If you put your hand next to the tank it is almost as hot as the water.