If you reduce your hot water use, you can save a lot of money.Less hot water is one of the most effective ways to do so.Fix leaks, install low-flow fixtures, and use energy- efficient washing machines to conserve hot water.
Step 1: Take shorter showers
Up to 700 gallons of water a week can be added to by 20 minutes of shower time per day.It is the equivalent of three years worth of drinking water for one person.Depending on your location, hot water heating costs will vary.The maximum time for showers is five minutes.It should take two or three minutes.Short showers use less water.If you take a bath, fill it up as much as you need to wash it.Taking cooler showers will save you water heating costs as well.
Step 2: It's a good idea to wash dishes and clothes consciously.
If you have the option, choose short washing cycles and use the "economy" setting on your washing machines.Only run machines with a full load.If you have a dishwasher that has a booster heater, turn it on.If used efficiently, the dish washing machines can use less water.If you are washing dishes by hand, fill a washtub with soapy water instead of letting the faucet run.The majority of clothes are washed in cold water.For the rinse cycle, always choose cold water.You can replace an old machine with a more energy efficient model.Information on doing so can be found in the corresponding section of the article.
Step 3: Don't let the water run.
It is possible to let the water run while brushing your teeth.It costs you money if you waste water.It's a good idea to rinse your toothbrush for a moment and turn the faucet off while brushing.
Step 4: It's a good idea to fix leaking fixtures.
Over the course of a year, one drip per second adds up to over 3,100 gallons of water.It will cost you $1 per month for each leaking fixture.See if you can fix a fixture yourself.Take the fixture apart by turning off the water.Replacing a rubber o-ring is enough to stop a leak.To make sure you get the correct replacement, bring broken or worn-out pieces to the hardware store with you.It's a good idea to periodically check outdoor water fixture for leaks.
Step 5: Add an aerator to the faucets.
The faucet's maximum flow rate is determined by the screw-on metal attachment.Make sure the kitchen faucet has an aerator that restricts water flow to about 1.0 gallon per minute.Make sure your bathroom faucet has a restriction on the flow rate.The standard flow rate for kitchen faucets is 2.2 gallons per minute.The more you save, the lower the flow rate is.Aerators are inexpensive.The most cost-effective way to conserve water is using an aerator.To make sure the aerator you purchase will fit your faucet, bring an old one to the home improvement store.Updating to a newer faucet with a built in aerator is a possibility if you have a faucet without internal threading.There are many options under $100.
Step 6: Installation of low-flow shower heads.
As much as 60% of the water you use in the shower can be saved with a low-flow shower head.They can be as little as $10 to $20.By using low-flow faucets and shower heads, your household will likely save thousands of gallons of water each year.You can use a shower head with a flow rate under 2.5 gallons per minute.Aerating or laminar-flow shower heads are good options.In humid climates, laminar-flow shower heads may be better.If your shower heads were installed before 1992, they are likely to have excessive flow-rates.You can replace them at your earliest convenience.
Step 7: Do you know if a shower head needs to be replaced?
It is possible to determine if your shower head is using too much water.Put a bucket under your shower head to catch the water.The shower should be turned on.If you have a shower head that allows you to adjust the pressure, set it to normal pressure.How long does it take for the bucket to fill up?Replacing the shower head with a low-flow option will save you money and conserve water if the bucket fills with this amount of water within 20 seconds.
Step 8: You can find the ENERGY STAR® label.
If you are looking for a new dishwasher or clothes washer, you should look for one that is labeled as energy efficient.The machines will immediately cut your water heating costs.Replacing a 10-yr old clothes washer can save you $100 a year.An energy efficient dishwasher will use less energy overall, reducing your water heating costs as well as your electricity costs.
Step 9: The dishwasher should be energy efficient.
The expected annual cost of operating the washer cannot be relied upon completely.Smaller dishwashers will be more energy efficient, but will also wash less dishes per load.A full capacity dishwasher is a better option if you live in a multi-person home.There is an option with a booster heater.As it enters the machine, the feature heats the water.It is important that the water temperature is high.It is possible to keep the temperature on your water heater's tank at an energy efficient level and still clean your dishes.There are different wash cycle options to choose from.You can save water and water heating costs by choosing shorter cycles to wash dishes.
Step 10: A clothes washer is a good choice.
The cost of an energy efficient clothes washer is three times less than a traditional washer.Front-load washing machines use less water.You can use cold water whenever possible if you use a machine that allows you to select water temperatures.To rinse, always use cold water.Smaller models will have better EnergyGuide ratings if they run less loads.
Step 11: Turn the thermostat up to 120F.
Most homes have conventional water heaters that store hot water in tanks.As water cools down, it is reheated.There are a few steps you can take to improve the efficiency of your water heating system.For every 10F (12C) reduction in the tank's standing water temperature, you will save 3% on your water heating costs.It is likely that you will be saving a good amount by taking this step.Don't trust the thermostat.Some won't have numbers.If you want to turn the hot water on full blast, hold a temperature under the faucet farthest from the water heater.Take a few seconds to read the temperature.The temp of the tank will be established by this.If you want to check the thermostat, go back to the hot water heater.It would be great if it is accurate.Next to a mark at the level shown, write down the actual temperature.To bring the actual temp of the water's tank down to 120F (49C), you can use the temperature you found as a guide.Wait two hours or more and take the water temperature from the faucet.It will take a few adjustments to get the tank temperature to 120F.You should mark the water heater's thermostat at the level that maintains the temperature.
Step 12: The tank needs to be drained.
Deposits will gradually build up in your water heater's tank.You don't have to drain the entire tank to keep the deposits from accumulating.It is recommended to drain a quart of water from the tank every three months.The water must be turned off before you can turn the water on.Set the burner to pilot and connect a hose to the base of the tank.If you want to open the spigot, lift the pressure-relief valve.Don't let the water touch you or anyone else.
Step 13: Insulate hot water pipes.
The pipes that hold your hot water should be well insulated.The water will be kept several degrees warmer.Self-sealing sleeves that cost a few dollars each can be slipped onto pipes.Look for exposed pipes in your home.
Step 14: Insulate the water tank.
A layer of insulation surrounds the water heater's tank.Many older tanks did not have this feature.Wrap your tank in an insulation blanket and seal it with heat- resistant tape if you don't have insulation on it.A $20 insulation blanket can be easily installed and will reduce heat loss from the tank by as much as 45%.It can save you 9% on your water heating costs.
Step 15: Attach the material as close to the tank as possible.
The water heater's top and bottom should not be covered.Don't block the thermostat or air inlet on a gas unit.For specific locations, see the manufacturer's warning.Don't insulate a unit that already has insulation.This will not make the unit more efficient.
Step 16: It's a good idea to have a timer on your water heating system.
If you know that hot water won't be needed in your home, you can turn on the timer.If you want to save money, you can set the timer to turn off during peak demand, which will save you money.
Step 17: Old or inefficient hot water heaters should be replaced.
Replacing an older unit with a more energy efficient option will save you money in the long run.Older models of hot water units will be less efficient than newer models before they stop working.
Step 18: Make sure you have the right hook-ups.
If you want to replace a conventional storage tank model with a newer, more efficient model, you may have to go with the same type of power supply.If the old model was electric or gas, the corresponding hookup may determine the type of model you need.If you already have a gas line in your home, you may be able to use it to connect your new hot water heater to it.
Step 19: Take into account the benefits of a tankless water heaters.
Tankless water heaters can cut your water heating costs by up to 20%.The units are usually near the fixture that gives you hot water.They can only be used in certain circumstances.If you live in a multi-person household that requires several uses of hot water at the same time, a large, centralized unit will not suffice.Small tankless models can be used far from the water heater to reduce its efficiency.It takes about 20 years for a tankless water heaters to last.Gas-powered tankless units are more efficient than electric units and will be less expensive to operate.It is likely that temperature variability will increase with a tankless water heater.
Step 20: Take a look at heat-pump and solar systems.
New technologies include units that move hot water around with pumps or heat water with the sun.Installation costs are high, but the newest water heating options allow you to save a lot of money.
Step 21: Look for the EnergyGuide and Energy Factor labels.
Conventional hot water heaters are labeled with their expected annual operating cost.Energy Factor labels refer to the actual energy efficiency of the unit.The more efficient the unit is, the higher the Energy Factor number.Comparison shopping will be much easier with these labels.The unit's capacity is one of the important factors to be aware of, as it will indicate how much hot water the unit will provide for an hour.Look for the first hour rating instead of the physical size.Younger units of comparable abilities to older models will cost 20% less to run each year due to less heat loss.If you are unsure, go with the option that has a higher Energy Factor rating.You will save money in the long run even if the initial cost is higher.