Save Hot Water and Save on your Electric Bill
If you live in one of the areas that is experiencing drought conditions now, then you’re probably already taking measures to save water. But had you considered that by using less hot water you’re also saving energy and money to heat the water?
There are several ways to reduce your use of hot water and save money.
Many people let the water run for it to get hot just to wash hands or brush teeth. For starters, that can waste a few gallons of water depending on how long the run is to your hot water heater. For a brief hand wash you may only use a short burst of hot water, but you’ve heated many times that to fill the pipe between the sink and the heater. You’re better off using the cold water to start with. Unless you’re working with raw meats in the kitchen then soap and cold water will kill germs as effectively as hot water.
If your water heater is in unconditioned space and a bit older then you should insulate the tank to save energy. Newer models insulated with foam may not need more insulation. Also, consider insulating the pipes if you can access them.
If your water heater needs replacing, consider a tankless or on-demand heater. Rheem, Rinnai and Bosh make excellent reliable models. These heat water instantly as you need it rather than storing hot water all the time.
Or consider solar hot water. Many States have excellent incentive programs to install these. A typical system will save you from 80% to 90% of your hot water use. Or you can go further and use the system with a radiant floor to help heat your home.
Wash your clothes in either cold or warm water. And be sure to run full loads to save on both the energy to heat the water and water itself.
Be sure to fix any leaky faucets, pipes or showers. Just one drip per second will cost you $1 per month.
Install low flow fixtures on taps and showers. Most new shower-heads flow at 2.5 gallons per minute or less. I’ve found the H2Okinetic from Delta delivers 1.6 gpm but feels more like 2.5 because of it unique design. If your showerhead is from before 1992, then it could be flowing at 5.5 gpm. Replacing that could save you quite a lot.
Super Cheap Electricity is a reseller of Texas electricity and generally concerned when it comes to excess electricity usage by providing access to cheap electricity in Texas. The Texas energy company maintains a save electricity blog which provides tips and suggestions about how to save money on your electricity bill.
Tags: electricity, hot water, save electricity, save hot water, save money