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How to: Save Energy On Your Water Heater Expense!

Research shows that heating your water is the second largest energy expense in an average household. With such a significant portion of your expenses going towards this energy use, it’s crucial to educate yourself on different ways in which you can lower your expenses in this area. Here’s a list of 10 easy tasks you can do to start saving money:

1. Lower your water heater’s thermostat settings: Many times households have their settings set too high.  Setting your thermostat too high is only making your system run harder and costing you more money in return.  For every 10 degree reduction in temperature you can save 3%-5% on your heating costs.  A good rule of thumb is setting your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Fix hot water leaks: Did you know a single drop leaked each second amounts to 1,661 gallons of water each year?! Although small drips or leaks may seem miniscule, they are actually quite large in the grand scheme of things!
3. Wash laundry in cold water instead: There isn’t just one reason your washing machine has a cold setting! Washing in cold will save you the energy costs of heating hot water! Changing habits to wash more laundry in cold water cycles can help reduce the overall amount of hot water your household consumes.
4. Take showers instead of baths: Taking a bath requires gallons and gallons of hot water which uses a lot of energy to replenish the hot water to your tank again. If you start taking showers instead of baths and install a low-flow showerhead, you can reduce your hot water use in the shower by as much as 60%!
5. Take shorter showers: Sometimes a long hot shower is the perfect remedy for a stressful day; however, you should not make this a regular occurrence.  Limiting your time in the shower is definitely one step you can take today to start lowering your water heater bill.  It’s as simple as it sounds–less time in the shower =’s less hot water used!
6. Only run dishwasher when it’s full: Instead of running your dishwasher for multiple small loads, start washing full loads only.  By running small loads you are wasting water that is normally meant to be utilized in large loads.  This quick change can save time and space for the hot water used when washing your dishes.
7. Don’t let your water run: Always make sure to turn your faucet off after any kind of use.  Even turning the water off during down time while brushing your teeth or when hand washing your dishes is a good idea.  Sometimes the littlest adjustments can make a difference– just like your Mother used to tell you back in the day: “Don’t leave the water running!”
8. Install a timer: A timer is installed to turn off your electric water heater at night or at times when not in use.  If you are not using energy to heat your water during downtimes, you won’t have to pay for something you aren’t using! Just like a thermostat can be set for increments of time in which you will be away from your home, you can also install a timer for your water heater!
9. Insulate your system: Insulating your storage tanks and water lines will help you retain more heat and limit energy loss.  Making this improvement can help you save dollars each year and help conserve water.  Be sure to check your water heater’s specifics for the best recommendations regarding insulation – OR just call a trusted professional!
10. Consider purchasing a new water heater: If you’ve attempted changes #1-9 and are still not able to reduce your energy expense, it might be time to consider purchasing a new water heater! Sometimes an issue you may be facing could be directly related to the age or history of your system.

If you start taking some of these changes into account you will start noticing a decrease in this energy expense. Because heating your water is such a big expense for average households, it’s crucial to understand there are several ways in which you can start making a difference. Never hesitate to call a trusted plumbing professional for any kind of work.