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, and 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 showerheads
and faucets.
• 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.
•
Install aerators in faucets and low-flow showerheads.
•
Buy a new water heater with a thick, insulating shell; while it may cost more
initially than one without insulation, the energy savings will continue during
the lifetime of the appliance.
•
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.
• 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.
Buy a Blanket for
Water Heater
Buy a blanket for your water heater. Save up to 20% a month or
up to $100 a year in savings. It takes a lot of energy to heat water and keep
it hot. By installing a water heater blanket (costs around $10 at home discount
store) it helps keep the water warm by holding the heat in.
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