Water heating is the third largest energy expense in your
home. It typically accounts for about 14% of your utility
bill. There are four ways to cut your water heating bills:
use less hot water, turn down the thermostat on your water
heater, insulate your water heater, or buy a new, more
efficient water heater. A family of four, each showering for
5 minutes a day, uses 700 gallons of water a week; this is
enough for a 3-year supply of drinking water for one person.
You can cut that amount in half simply by using low-flow
non-aerating shower heads and faucets.
Water Heating Tips
Repair leaky faucets promptly; a leaky faucet wastes
gallons of water in a short period.
Insulate your electric hot-water storage tank and pipes,
but be careful not to cover the thermostat.
Insulate your gas or oil hot-water storage tank and pipes,
but be careful not to cover the water heater's top, bottom,
thermostat, or burner compartment; when in doubt, get
professional help.
Install non-aerating, low-flow faucets and shower heads.
Buy a new energy-efficient water heater. While it may cost
more initially than a standard water heater, the energy
savings will continue during the lifetime of the appliance.
Although most water heaters last 10-15 years, it's best to
start shopping for a new one if yours is more than 7 years
old. Doing some research before your heater fails will
enable you to select one that most appropriately meets your
needs.
Lower the thermostat on your water heater; water heaters
sometimes come from the factory with high temperature
settings, but a setting of 115F provides comfortable hot
water for most uses.
Drain a quart of water from your water tank every 3 months
to remove sediment that impedes heat transfer and lowers the
efficiency of your heater. The type of water tank you have
determines the steps to take, so follow the manufacturer's
advice.
If you heat with electricity and live in a warm and sunny
climate, consider installing a solar water heater. The solar
units are environmentally friendly and can now be installed
on your roof to blend with the architecture of your house.
Take more showers than baths. Bathing uses the most hot
water in the average household. You use 15-25 gallons of hot
water for a bath, but less than 10 gallons during a 5-minute
shower.
Consider the installation of a drain water waste heat
recovery system.
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