Four Ways to Cut Energy Bills from Your Water Heater
Believe it or not, you use something like 65 gallons of hot water daily to wash your clothes, your dishes, and yourself. That’s 65 gallons of water that has to be heated – and often reheated, especially if your water heater sits in a cold basement – every day.
It’s no wonder, then, that heating water can account for more than 20 percent or more of your monthly energy bill.
Want to cut that number down? You have four basic ways to do that.
- Use less hot water – Easier said than done, right? Actually it’s not that hard, and it starts with awareness. Consider how much hot water each of these common tasks uses without you even knowing it:
- 25 gallons for a medium-sized load of laundry
- 10 gallons for a shower
- 6 gallons for a dishwasher
- 2 gallons per minute for a kitchen / bathroom faucet
As you can see, the gallons add up very quickly – and you pay to heat every one of them.
Some simple ways to use less water? Star with Installing low-flow shower heads, timing your showers, and always running your dishwasher or washing machine with a full load. Take advantage of energy saving modes on your hot water appliances, too – and wash clothes on the cold setting – today’s detergents work just fine in cold water.
- Insulate pipes and your water heater’s storage tank – Most water heaters sit in cold basements all winter long, then pass water through cold pipes en route to your tap or appliance. Insulating your water heater’s tank can help stored water to retain its heat, while insulating the first six feet or so of the pipes connected to the water heater (at minimum) can reduce heat lost in transit.
- Adjusting your water heater’s thermostat – The US Department of Energy recommends a water heater temperature of a comfortable 120°, which is lower – sometimes significantly lower – than the default setting of today’s water heaters. Check your owner’s manual to find out how to reset the thermostat – if you have any problems, contact us.
- Install a high-efficiency water heater – Today’s high-efficiency conventional and tankless water heaters are great energy savers that can cut your monthly energy bills by 20 percent or more.
Considering a new water heater for your Northern Fairfield or Northern Westchester home? Contact Casey Energy today to get a FREE estimate on an upgrade!