Lower Your Energy Bills Series: Hot Water

Today's entry in our Lower Your Energy Bills Series focuses on hot water.  There are a number of simple things you can do to help reduce your energy bills by reducing the amount of hot water you use.

Turn It Down: Check to see what temperature your water heater is set at.  Consider lowering it to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.  This can save as much as 10% on water heating costs compared to a temperature setting of 140 degrees.  And, 120 degrees should still be plenty hot for all your showering and washing needs.

Turn It Off: Consider turning off your water heater when you don't need it.  This might mean turning it off before you go to bed at night, or before you leave for work (or golf) during the day.  If you worry about not having hot water because you'll forget to turn it back on, consider installing a timer.  When going out of town for an extended period of time, be sure to turn the hot water heater off completely.

Clothes Don't Need It: Try to wash your clothes on a cooler water setting.  Most of the time clothing doesn't need to be washed in hot water to get cleaned.

Use The Right Handle: When doing things like brushing your teeth or getting a drink of water, be sure to use the right faucet handle.  You don't need hot water for these tasks.  Turning on the hot water, even for a second, causes cold water to enter the water heater tank.

Fix The Drip: If you have a leaky faucet, especially one with a single handle, fix it.  Not only does this help conserve water, but it will allow hot water to stay in the tank where you want it.

Maintain Your Water Heater: Like any machine, your water heater needs maintenance now and then.  Flush the tank about every 6 months, and check for leaks while you are at it.  Check and replace the anode rod every 1-3 years.  Also, check the water pressure and make sure it's within the range recommended by the manufacturer.  A well maintained water heater not only works more efficiently, but it also extends the number of years of use you'll get out of it before it needs to be replaced.

Reduce Your Usage:  Don't run the hot water constantly while shaving.  Take more showers instead of baths.  Wash dishes by hand instead of the dishwasher. The less hot water you use, the less you spend to heat it.

Any and all of these small steps will help you reduce the energy costs associated with heating water in your home.  Find the ones that work with your lifestyle, and enjoy the savings!