Instead of providing the customers with a single blanket, the manufacturers offer three different pieces that are much easier to install and more convenient to handle. Both the polyethylene foam and the aluminum foil are materials that are easy to clean and do not contain any toxic or carcinogenic elements.
Doesn't stick well to the water heater.
The SmartJacket SJ-80 is easily one of the most flexible and versatile offers on the market that we could easily recommend to just about anybody regardless of the size and volume of their heater or how experienced they are with these things.
Gas, oil, or electric water heaters up to 80-gallon size
84"x 24" (2 pcs)
84"x 15.5" (1 pc)
Round 30" diameter (1 pc)
Polyethylene foam, Aluminum foil
R7.1 (0.2" thickness)
Roll of tape included
Amazon's 30-day return policy
Instead of providing the customers with a single blanket, the manufacturers offer two different pieces that are much easier to install and more convenient to handle. Both the polyethylene foam and the aluminum foil are materials that are easy to clean and do not contain any toxic or carcinogenic elements.
Might take some time to adjust and fixate the whole thing.
The Nasa Tech might very well be one of the most flexible and versatile offers on the market that we could easily recommend to just about anybody regardless of the size and volume of their heater or how experienced they are with these things.
Gas, oil, or electric water heaters up to 60-gallon size
84" x 48" (1 pc)
84" x 24" (1 pc)
Polyethylene foam, Aluminium foil
R7.5 (~1/8" thickness)
Roll of tape included
Amazon's 30-day return policy
Frost King products keep the cold air away in winter and protect roofs from freezing snow. During summer, they help keep your drainpipes clean.
The isolation of this roll creates some fine dust around the room.
This isolation blanket is suitable for up to 60-gallon water heaters. It's very good at protecting the inner part of a heater in regions with a mild climate and abrupt temperature changes.
Gas, oil or electric water heaters up to 60 gallon size
75" x 48" (1 pc)
Vinyl-faced fiberglass
R10 (1" thickness)
Roll of tape included
Amazon's 30-day return policy
The model features a Class 1 fire rating, and that's quite impressive given that it stops up to 97% of radiant heat loss and does an exceptional job maintaining the standby water temperature. In addition to the roll of tape, you will also receive a pair of foil spacer strips.
Easily wrinkles and crumples.
The REFLECTO-FOIL 43180-74595 water heater insulation blanket is fairly lightweight and really easy to clean. But, more importantly, their very own Reflecto-Foil™ is easily one of the safest and most reliable materials on the market.
Gas, oil, or electric water heaters up to 40-gallon size
76" x 48" (1 pc)
Reflecto-Foil™
~R6 (3/16” thickness)
Roll of tape and spacer strips included
Amazon's 30-day return policy
The Reach Barrier reflective insulation materials are some of the most universal and energy-efficient. This insulation system can reduce the heat loss in the waiting mode by 25-45%.
The tape doesn't hold well where there are curves.
This kit offers a simple set-up with a tape. The latter is super temperature resistant and fits most heater types. It can be easily used in attics, on walls and roofs, or on the floor.
Gas, oil or electric water heaters up to 80 gallon size
192" x 24" (1 pc)
Reflecto-foil
R-24 (1/4” thickness)
Roll of tape and spacer strips included
Amazon's 30-day return policy
Divide and Wrap
Unless you're a DIY savant that can build an entire house from scratch in a matter of months, installing one of these heater blankets can often prove to be a bit of an annoying and inconvenient task. Well, with SmartJacket SJ-80, this task is about to become a lot simpler.
Where most manufacturers offer you a single piece that you have to roll around the tank, the people behind this particular product decided to allocate responsibilities, so to speak, by cutting their blanket into three different pieces. Thanks to this solution, you will be able to apply the bottom panel and the upper panel separately, which is far more convenient and certainly simpler than to deal with a single piece. Once you taped the model using the roll of tape that comes with the product, put on the cap panel and cut out a window so that you'll be able to access the control panels on electric water waters. The decision to rely on separate panels instead of a single piece is also what made this hot water heater blanket a much more versatile product as it will fit virtually any tank, heater, or boiler out there that feature from 20 to 80 gallons of volume.
The whole thing is made of polyethylene foam and the cover is comprised of aluminum foil. Both of these materials do a solid job in terms of insulation and, more importantly, they are easy to install, easy to clean, and do not contain any toxic or carcinogenic elements. With that said, the SmartJacket SJ-80 is easily one of the most flexible and versatile offers on the market that we could easily recommend to just about anybody regardless of the size and volume of their heater or how experienced they are with these things.
| Last updated price | $43.99 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B0041871AY |
Two Pieces are Better Than One
AES Nasa Tech is everything people have come to expect from water heater blankets and then some for good measure. First off, you get not one but 2 different blankets. And that's definitely a change in the right direction as it makes the whole thing much easier to install and a lot more convenient to handle.
Both pieces are made of a polyethylene foam and aluminum foil. The materials in question are easy to clean. They do not contain any toxic or carcinogenic elements. The blankets are mold- and mildew-resistant. They do not get affected by humidity and moisture.
The lightweight product is really easy to install and it isn't just because it consists of 2 blankets instead of 1. In addition to these water heater wraps, you get spacers, foil tape, and an insulation hypo-allergenic kit.
Sure, it will still take some time to put it all together and properly adjust the blankets to the heaters. But it shouldn't take too much of your time nor will it likely require a considerable amount of effort on your side.
Just like every other model in this review, this 2-piece set fits gas, oil, or electric water heaters up to 60-gallon in size. It improves the recovery rate of your water tank and reduces heat loss by about 40%.
All in all, what we have here might very well be one of the most flexible and versatile offers on the market that we could easily recommend to just about anybody regardless of the size and volume of their heater or how experienced they are with these thermal things.
| Last updated price | $39.88 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B00ZOEB1H8 |
Less Money, More Heat
Are you ready for a big domestic save-up? The Frost King water heater insulation blanket is exactly what you’ll need to save up money – and energy.
This blanket is designed for gas, electric, and oil water heaters with the capacity of up to 60 gallons. Both sides are made of fiberglass and foil, which ensures top-level insulation for your hot water tank. What could be better than a quality wrap and a really thick insulation layer to keep the heat in?
The reflective value of this insulation blanket is rated at 10, which is considerably high. Keep in mind that the recommended R-value for water heaters is 8, so this product has a visible edge over its competitors. No need to waste your time looking for the best price/value combination; this product has it all, and you’ll be surely impressed with it.
The Frost King insulation blanket will take as little as 20 minutes to install, and you’ll probably not need any help if you stick to the instructions. The foiltape comes with the blanket and will help you get it all set up without much effort. The only downside is that the isolation creates some fine dusting in your room.
To sum up, this handy insulation blanket helps you reduce heat losses – and save up water heating costs.
Make Smokey Bear Proud
Generally speaking, water heater blankets don't really differ that much from each other as they serve a relatively singular purpose, so the manufacturers often rely on some of the same solutions in order to achieve their goals. That said, it is a bit of a different story with the product that we have here. Instead of relying on tried and tested materials, the manufacturers created their very own Reflecto-Foil™ wrap that seemingly offers the best of what other materials have to offer without following in their footsteps when it comes to their flaws and inconveniences.
There are no foam spacers here as they are a fire hazard. The material in question isn't toxic nor is it carcinogenic as some of the other offers out there often tend to be. All in all, the whole thing features a Class A fire rating, and that's quite impressive given that it stops up to 97% of radiant heat loss and does an exceptional job maintaining the standby water temperature.
Finally setting the materials aside, we would also like to mention that, in addition to the roll of tape that usually comes with these products, the manufacturers have also decided to throw in complimentary spacer strips that will definitely come in handy during the process of installation.
All things considered, the REFLECTO-FOIL 43180-74595 water heater insulation blanket is fairly lightweight and really easy to clean. But, more importantly, their very own Reflecto-Foil™ is easily one of the safest and most reliable materials on the market.
Easy, Reliable, and Effective
The Reach Barrier insulation kit for water heaters is immensely effective with its up to 95% heat blocking. Universal in use, this do-it-yourself kit will be your number one money saver at home.
Get ready to be impressed; the Reach Barrier insulation roll comes with a branded reflective insulation reinforced with the bubble barrier technology. The 2 layers of reflective polyethylene support more consistent reflective values for this product. This will help you save up most of radiant heat, which will make water heating at your home much less costly.
As for the fire safety, Reach Barrier meets – and exceeds – the current fire codes. You can safely use it for a domestic water heater and not fear an emergency.
If you think that you can easily set up this kit, you’ll still be amazed at how effortless it can be. The material can be wrapped around the heater with no problem. It’s also flexible enough to get around the obstructions (although curves may be a bit trickier). The super temperature resistant tape will fit most heater types, so no worries about the possible size issues.
All in all, Reach Barrier has come up with a highly practical and cost-efficient insulation kit for your home needs.
What Is a Water Heater Blanket?
A water heater tank is a very useful appliance for a variety of reasons, which is why you will be able to find it in most homes. You can use it not just to heat water but also to maintain the desired temperature in your place of residency. The only problem is, an appliance like that is also the second largest source of energy consumption in your average household. But, with a water heater blanket, you will be able to solve this issue. Simply wrap one of these things around your water heater tank and you'll be able to improve your energy efficiency and save some money on the energy bills each and every month. These blankets aren't particularly expensive, easy to set up, and, generally speaking, they tend to pay for themselves in less than a year. If you have an older tank and you don't know its R-value rating, simply touch it. If the heater is warm, then you need one of these products to reduce standby heat loss.
And while we are on the subject of home improvement, you might want to take a look at our review of the best carbon monoxide detectors or pick up a new garage door opener.
Sources:
1. Savings Project: Insulate Your Water Heater Tank, Energy.
2. Erika Rawes Tank vs. tankless heaters: Why tankless is not always the best choice, Digital Trends. September 18, 2017.
3. 3 Advantages to Using a Water Heater Blanket, DoItYourself.com.