The abundance of articles on solar water heating and economical tankless water heaters clearly shows that after heating and cooling, homeowners are primarily concerned with savings through more rational water heating practices. After all, water heating easily accounts for around 12% of a family’s utility expenses. While few of us are in position to order in a new water heater, there are simple ways everyone can do to save and protect our water and use less energy heating it. So read on to find out how you can achieve more rational water heating.
Adopt short showers
A warm, soaking bath is a nice treat of luxury, but on a daily basis, we should all stick to short, effective showers. Of course, time in the shower flies fast and sometimes even a shower may use more hot water than a modest tub. On the other hand, if you can stand it, you can even turn the water off while soaping up, shampooing, or scrubbing. Keeping the bathroom door closed tightly and having a big towel at hand will make getting out into the cold much easier.
Crank down the water heater
Lower the temperature on your water heater to 50°C, because for every 10°C you take off, you can save from 3-5% on your water heating costs. You should also insulate your hot-water storage tank. With electric tanks, take care not to cover the thermostat, while for natural gas or oil water heaters make sure you leave the water heater’s top, bottom, thermostat and burner compartment unobstructed.
Turn the faucet off
Letting the water run when we don’t need it is one of most inconspicuous ways your hot water cost piles up on the utility bill. Brushing the teeth, stepping away to fetch dirty dishes or unwrap a new bar of soap – these extra minutes add up much faster than we think, and it only takes a second to shut the water off.
Repair the leaks
It’s no secret that one drip per second costs $1 per month. While this doesn’t seem that bad, at a rate of 60 drips per minute, you waste about 32 litres per day, 960 litres per months and 11520 litres per year – a huge amount of perfectly good, clean water going to waste. Today’s hot water systems are pretty robust, made to last between 10 and 20 years, but lack of maintenance can give rise to many problems. While you may not detect the leak firsthand, genuine pros, as these Canberra-based hot water experts, have the right skills and equipment to address the source of the problem.
Install low-flow fixtures
In many legislations, low-flow showerheads and faucets are required for all new construction, residential or commercial. It shouldn’t surprise, if we know that showerheads and faucets that pre-date 1992 use more than twice as much water as new ones. These fixtures have aerated heads which mix the water jet with air, resulting in much finer aerated stream which can save from 25 to 60%.
Upgrade your clothes washer
As technology evolves, home appliance manufacturers are competing to launch the most economical model that does everything the previous generation did, and then some. Clothes washers with Energy Star labels use 25% less energy and 33% less water, along a variety of sophisticated cleaning methods, while Energy Star clothes dryers include advanced features that combine less heat with a sensor drying mode that reduces unnecessary wear and energy loss.
Install heat traps
These valved loops allow cold water to flow into the heater tank but prevent unvented convection and heated water flowing out from the tank. While all newer heater models have them built-in, you need a professional plumber and a hot water expert to install heat traps on your existing tank. Heat traps can help you shave $15 to $30 off your utility bill.
While the most effective hot water saving measure would be to purchase the latest power-saving heater, many of us are not ready for such a step. Until then, these seven tips should help you set some money aside.
If your have any suggestions or ideas that would help us save our water supply and/or energy leave them in the comment section!!!
Please share this article so we can all learn to save water and energy and help save our environment!!!
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