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Water Heating Energy Saving Tips

Water heating is typically the third largest energy expense in your home. It usually accounts for approximately 13% of your utility bill. There are basically four ways that you can cut your water heating bills; use less hot water, turn down the thermostat on your water heater, unsulate your water heater, or buy a new, more efficient model.

Water Heating Energy Saving Tips:

Install low-flow faucets and showerheads

Repair leaky faucets; a leaky faucet wastes gallons of water in a short period of time

Lower the thermostat on your water heater; a setting of 120F provides a comfortable hot water temperature for most uses

Take showers instead of baths; a shower will use less hot water than a bath

Insulate your electric hot water heater with a water heater insulation blanket

Insulate the first 6 feet of the hot and cold water pipes connected to the water heater

Drain a quart of water from your hot water tank every 3 months to remove any sediment that has built up; this sediment will lower the efficiency of your heater

If you use electricity to heat your water, have high electric rates and have an unshaded, south facing location (such as the roof) on your property, you might want to consider installing a solar water heater. The solar water heating units are environmentally friendly and can now be installed on your roof to blend with the architecture of your house.