|
|
|
|
Hot Water Usage
(Based on national averages.)
The typical U.S. homeowner's water consumption by
place of use.
|
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 aerating
showerheads and faucets.
- Insulate your water heater to save energy and money.
- Look for the FTC
EnergyGuide label.
Water Heating Tips
- 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.
- Insulate your gas or oil hot-water storage tank and
pipes, but be careful not to cover the water heater's
top, bottom, thermostat, or burner compartment; when in
doubt, get professional help.
- Install aerating low-flow faucets and showerheads.
- Buy a new water heater. While it may cost more
initially than a standard water heater, the energy
savings will continue during the lifetime of the
appliance.
- Although most water heaters last 10-15 years, it's best
to start shopping for a new one if yours is more than 7
years old. Doing some research before your heater fails
will enable you to select one that most appropriately
meets your needs.
- Lower the thermostat on your water heater; water heaters
sometimes come from the factory with high temperature
settings, but a setting of 115ºF provides
comfortable hot water for most uses.
- 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.
- If you heat with electricity and live in a warm and
sunny climate, consider installing a solar water
heater. The solar units are environmentally friendly and
can now be installed on your roof to blend with the
architecture of your house.
- 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.
- Consider the installation of a drain water waste heat
recovery system.
|
|
