Heating water is one of your largest annual
energy expenses. A water heater can consume approximately 600 kilowatt hours
per month.
Replace Your Old Water Heater With A High
Efficiency Model
If you are in the market for a new water heater consider
buying a high efficiency model. It may cost you a little more to buy, but it
costs less to use, so you will save over the life of the unit. Consider
replacing your old water heater with a heat pump water heater. It can save you
up to 50% on the cost of heating your water. As a side note, be sure to secure
your water heater by fastening it to the studs in the wall.
Set The Thermostats Properly
To operate most efficiently, your water heater should be
set between 120°F and 130°F. If you have a dishwasher, you may need
to increase the temperature settings to 140°F. Refer to the owner's manual
for the proper temperature settings for your dishwasher.
Keep It Warm
If your water heater is located in an unconditioned space,
and does not have a water heater blanket on it, you may want to get one. It can
save as much as 9% on your water heating costs. Before you install a blanket
check the caution label on your water heater. Some newer models come with
adequate insulation levels and may prohibit installing a blanket. Finally, mark
the inspection plate locations on the blanket for future access.
Fix Those Drips
If you have a leaky faucet, you're pouring money down the
drain. A slow drip of hot water can waste up to 450 gallons of water a month.
Not only are you paying to heat the water, but you are paying for the water,
and may be paying for the disposal as well. If you have a domestic well,
pumping costs may also be a factor.
Reduce The Flow
Install high performance shower heads and faucet aerators
in your bathrooms and kitchen. They can cut up to 11% of your water use, which
will reduce your energy and water bills. Also, consider taking short showers
rather than baths. A shower typically uses less hot water than a bath
(especially if you limit your showers to five minutes or less).
If you just need a shampoo, try using the sink rather than
taking a shower. Water efficient devices are usually available at the local
hardware stores or from Salem Electric.
Use Cold Water When You Can
Use cold water instead of hot to wash clothes or rinse
dishes. Hot water for dishes uses about 2 kilowatt hours and 5 kilowatt hours
for a load of clothes.
Twist The Tap
Turn the water off while you're brushing your teeth,
lathering your hands with soap, or scrubbing dishes.
Run Your Dishwasher
That's right... run your dishwasher. By running it once a
day (or less) you'll use about 17 gallons of hot water each time, compared to
the 10 gallons you'll generally use each time you wash the dishes by hand. Only
wash full loads and use the energy saving setting, which eliminates the drying
cycle at a savings of 6 cents per load.
If you have an electric water heater, use your dishwasher's
booster heater. This booster heats the water used in the dishwasher to
140°F, allowing you to reduce the temperature of your water heater to
120°F.
