Save Money and Help the Environment

As consumers of energy, there are many things that each of us can do to help reduce the amount of energy that we use. Saving energy not only helps us save money, but has a positive impact on the environment. Below are tips from the U.S. Department of Energy on saving money on heating water in your home. For more money saving tips, download the Energy Savers Booklet.

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Tips on Heating Water in Your Home

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, water heating is the third largest energy expense in your home. It typically accounts for about 12% 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 model.

Water Heating Tips

Install aerating, low-flow faucets and showerheads.

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

Lower the thermostat on your water heater; water heaters sometimes come from the factory with high temperature settings, but a setting of 120°F provides comfortable hot water for most uses. Insulate your electric hot-water storage tank, but be careful not to cover the thermostat. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

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

If you are in the market for a new dishwasher or clothes washer, consider buying an efficient, water-saving ENERGY STAR model to reduce hot water use.

Install heat traps on the hot and cold pipes at the water heater to prevent heat loss. Some new water heaters have built-in heat traps.

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.

Want to Know More?

For more energy saving tips at home, download the Energy Savers Booklet by clicking on the booklet icon above.