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Tips for conserving hot water
Water heaters are the second largest energy users in most homes--only space heating systems use more. As a result, water heating may represent a large portion of your utility bill. Here are some tips to save energy and money used for water heating:
At your water heater
- Lower the upper and lower water heater thermostats to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This simple action can save you money all year long and reduce the risk of burns from tap water.
- Wrap your water pipes with insulation. Closed-cell flexible foam tubes and fiberglass batts are available at most hardware and home improvement stores.
- Turn off the electricity to the water heater at the main fuse box if you will be gone for three days or more.
In the kitchen and bathrooms
- Install low flow showerheads and faucet aerators. Both are available from local hardware and home improvement centers.
- Fix leaky faucets and showerheads promptly. Hot water leaks consume energy, so make these repairs a priority.
- Take quick showers instead of baths. Turn off the water while shaving, brushing teeth, etc.
- Do household cleaning with cold water, if possible.
- When washing dishes in the sink, fill the sink and plug it with a stopper instead of letting the water run constantly.
- Make sure the dishwasher is full before you turn it on. It uses the same amount of water whether it has a full load of dishes or just a few items.
In the laundry room
- Whenever possible, wash only full laundry loads. If your clothes washer has a water level selector, use the lowest practical level.
- Use cool water when washing clothes. Cold-water detergents can be used for much, if not all, of you laundry. If you must wash clothes in warm or hot water, rinse them in cold water.
- Use the pre-soak cycle for heavily soiled loads to avoid two washings.
- If you’re shopping for a new clothes washer or dishwasher, consider ENERGY STAR® qualifying energy efficient models. They use 10-50% less energy and water than standard models.
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