Drain Hot Water Tank: One
of the little-known ways to save energy is to drain a quart of water
from your hot water tank every few months to remove sediment that
impedes heat transfer and lowers its efficiency.
Energy Star Guide: Energy Guide labels before buying a new hot water heater. The higher rating, the more it is energy efficient.
Foam Pipe Insulation: Pipes wrapped with insulation keeps the water 2-4 degrees hotter, thus reducing the amoung of heat lost from the heater down to the faucet. With this, you can turn down your water heater and cut down your energy consumption. Install the pre-formed foam pipe insulation on your hot water pipes.
Gradual Heat Adjustment: Gradually
turn down the temperature on the hot water heater until you just barely
run out of hot water. Then, turn it back up just a notch for comfort.
Hot Bath: Take
a shower instead of a hot bath, especially during summer. This allows
you to save on the energy consumed by the water heater.
Leaky Faucets: Fix leaky faucets. One drop per second can add up to 165 gallons a month - that's more than one person uses in two weeks.
Old Water Heater: An
old hot water heater builds up deposits inside and becomes less
efficient. Install a new energy efficient, well-insulated hot water
heater.
Second Water Holding Tank: If
you live in a cold climate, install a second water holding tank for
water to reach room temperature before entering the hot water heater.
Shorter Showers: For
those who just have to take a long shower to get going in the morning,
install a low-flow shower head to save valuable hot water.
Showerhead: Cut down on unecessary water waste by installing a water saving showerhead.
Solar Water Heater: Consider
purchasing a solar water heater system. More than 1.5 million homes and
businesses in the US have successfully made the investment because it
is safer for the environment and it saves valuable amount of energy in
the long run.
Tank-less Water Heaters: Tank-less
water heaters only heat water when needed. This means the heater does
not consume energy if you are not using it. Investigate the addition of
tank-less water heaters throughout strategic areas of your home.
Water Heater Settings: Set
your water heater to the "vacation" mode when you're away from home for
more than two days. This ensures that you are not wasting energy while
you are away.
Water Heater Size: Don't replace the hot water heater with a bigger one than you really need. Select the proper size to save energy.
Water Tank Insulation: Insulate
your hot water tank to reduce heat loss and save energy. Water heating
accounts for as much as 20 percent of your utility bill.
3-Minute Shower: Try
to spend less than 3 minutes in the shower. Run the fan and/or open
your bathroom window to allow the steam to escape. You’ll cut down on
the need for harsh chemicals to clean and remove molds and mildew.
