It is estimated that more than 10 percent of the utility bill is actually the cost of water heating and that you spend more money only on heating and cooling the rooms. This means that any saving you make in this segment will be reflected and highly appreciated in your budget.
Savings can be made by altering our habits or introducing new ones, or by purchasing more energy-efficient equipment, which uses less power, but provides equally good results. Here are some tips you might want to consider if you wish to spend less on heating water.
Showers before baths
You spend much less water if you take a shower, so that is what you should do on a daily basis. You need to treat yourself to the luxury of a warm bath as rarely as possibly, if you plan to spend and heat less water.
Also, while showering, you need to turn off the water while applying soap and shampoo or shaving. Remember, the less you spend, the more you save.
Regulate the water heater
It’s said that for every 10ºF reduction in temperature, you save around 4% on your water heating costs, which means you can lower the temperature on your water heater to improve its efficiency.
Similarly, when using water in appliances, such as the washing machine or the dishwasher, you need to be as efficient as possible. Cold water is good enough for many loads and for every rinse cycle, which means less heated water is necessary. When it comes to washing the dishes, don’t start a cycle unless the dishwasher is fully loaded. Also, choose shorter cycles whenever possible.
Save water
If you learn not to let the water run while brushing your teeth or shampooing, you’ll be saving both your money and the world’s most precious natural resource. A dripping faucet or showerhead can increase your utility bill by a significant amount, not to mention some more serious leaks from pipes and fixtures.
That’s why it’s crucial that you regularly inspect your installations for any problems. If you lose water and heat in unnecessary quantities, your bills will be huge and you’ll be wasting your money, which is why you really need to make sure that you only heat as much water as you’re going to need.
Check out some simple ways you can save and conserve water.
Heat traps
What might save a nice amount each month are heat traps installed on your water heater tank. Some new models already feature such additions, but in case yours doesn’t, you probably need to ask for professional help.
Storage tank insulation
Just like your home, your hot-water storage tank benefits from being insulated. However, you need to do this carefully and properly. Electric tanks must not have their thermostat covered, while gas and oil hot water storage tanks are even more sensitive, which means you need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to the letter.
You can also insulate some parts of the water pipes connected to the heater and/or install a timer that can turn on or off the heater when you wish, so that you can benefit from the periods of the day when the price of electricity is lower.
New appliances
If you have old and outdated appliances, it’s probably time to replace them. New clothes washers, dishwashers or heating devices (such as the Rheem gas hot water heater, for instance), do not only do a great job, but are also quite economical. Make sure you find out everything you need before making a decision.
As you can see, there are many things to consider and many options available if you want to be more efficient when it comes to water heating and usage. You won’t be spending as much and you’ll be saving a natural resource. A clear win-win situation.
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Blessings, Leigh
Thanks for hosting Healthy Living Link Up Party and stopping by to comment. Have a healthy, happy & blessed day!
This is very useful information! I will have to look into a heat trap for greater efficiency. Thank you!
Hi Jennifer,
Glad you found my information useful. I thought the heat trap was quite interesting and was not aware of it until recently. Have a healthy, happy & blessed weekend!