Energy is a necessity, and it shouldn’t be wasted. You might not realize your utility bill’s steady increase before it’s too late. In many cases, the water heater can be blamed. If you’re dealing with a high gas, electric or water bill—watch out. Your water heater might be behind the efficiency problem. Check out these cost-saving water heater tricks:
One: Lower the Temperature
Specifically, lower it to 120°F for any 10-degree temperature reduction. You can chop off between three and five percent of your overall heating costs in doing so. Be proactive about this, because a constant temperature in declining—or rising—home temperatures can be costly, in the long run.
Two: Fix the Leaks
Your home’s leaks won’t only damage the interior. In fact, a one-drip-per-second leak can cost as much as one dollar per month. So, at 60 drips per minute, you could be wasting as much as 8.64 gallons per day—which is approximately 3,153 gallons annually. Check out this water drip calculator, provided by DrinkTap.org.
Three: Upgrade Your Washing Machine
By installing an ENERGY STAR-certified appliance, you can reduce your water heating bill dramatically. Experts consider water heater usage to be comparable to wasting a couple swimming-pools-worth of water, annually. By using an energy efficient washing machine, you can significantly reduce your water heater’s strain.
Four: Install Low-Flow Faucets
Many modern federal regulations require the installation of low-flow-rate faucets—and for good reason. Any faucets created in the early 90s use twice as much water as modern, low-flow fixtures. The investment is worth it, and it can shave off a fourth of your water heating energy bill.
Five: Wash Your Landry with Cold Water
Hot water kills bacteria, but so does laundry detergent. Really, you aren’t getting a big boost by using hot water. You’re also using a ton of water heater energy. Take it from us: Your rinse cycle deserves more cold water, and so does your monthly utility bill.
Insulate your water heater tank, too. Electric, gas and hot oil tanks should be protected—but don’t cover the thermostat, base or burner compartment. Over time, you’ll see a difference in energy consumption. If you can micromanage your water heating bill with heat traps, you can maximize your home’s efficiency. Talk with Steve's Plumbing and Heating to explore additional options, and maintain your home’s energy from the ground up.