[samclem]

CT,

The water heater blankets are not as popular as they once were. Newer water heaters are much better insulated than the older ones.

- The two types I've seen are 1) Fiberglass insulation with a flexible plastic facing and 2) a matted fiber substance with a reflective alluminum foil face. I think both Lowes and HD sel Type 1 (Maybe the "Frost-King" brand?) and I think I saw the Type 2 at Lowes. Oh, I've also seenthe reflective bubble insulation marketed for this purpose. I think the fiberglass-with-plastic version is the most effectve, but the most inconvenient to install (fiberglass itchiness if not careful, etc). I've done it twice, it is a simple job if you can get access to al sides of the WH, and took about 1 hour total.

Savings: YMMV. Depends a lot on whether your present tank is well insulated, if you have a gas or electric water heater, and if the WH s located inside your conditioned space. If the WH is in your conditioned space, then youmifght not save very much at all in your MN climate, since 9 months of the year you're hapy to have the extra heat in your house.

Sorry for the lack of specifics.

Oh, two other related projects:
-- Insulate the hot water pipe leading out of the WH as far as you can reach/see it. This saves on energy leakage all the time ad slightly reduces the wait for hot water if you've recently used it.
-- hen it is time to replace the WH, be sure to get the "flapper fittings" nipples that reduce water flow when you don't have the water turned on.