Water Heating

Energy Saving Tips for Water Heating

  • Repair leaky faucets. Hot water leaking at a rate of 1 drip per second can waste up to 1,661 gallons of water over the course of a year, and waste up to $35 in electricity or in natural gas. Fixing drips is a cost-effective and easy way to save energy.
  • Install low-flow aerators and fixtures. An average family can save as much as $50 to $75 per year on water and sewer bills by switching to low-flow shower heads and low-flush toilets.
  • Turn off the faucet. To save water, be sure to turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth, shaving, or rinsing dishes by hand.
  • Wash only full loads. Your clothes washer and dishwasher use about the same amount of water whether you wash a full load, or just one item.
  • Purchase the correct size water heater. Consider the hot water needs of your family. If your water heater is too large, you will waste energy; if it is too small, you will likely run out of hot water.
  • Set the water thermostat to 120 degrees. With every 10-degree reduction in water temperature, you can save 3% to 5% in water-heating costs.
  • If the doors to the closet that houses your hot water heater have louvers or grills, do not cover or set anything in front of them.
  • Wrapping a fiberglass blanket around your electric water heater and securing it with duct tape, or installing a ready-made insulation kit can save up to 10% on water heating costs (most new water heaters are already insulated, so this tip is most effective for electric water heaters that are more than 5 years-old),
  • Insulate water pipes. Use half-inch foam or pipe tape for insulation wherever pipes are exposed. On cold water pipes, insulate 4 to 5 feet nearest to the water heater. Pipe insulation can save you up to $25 annually.
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