Cool Ways to Keep Warm and Lower Water Heating Costs this Winter

If you are like many other homeowners, you are still struggling to keep costs down as the economy continues to sputter. Hidden costs exist right in your very own home; costs that you can reduce each and every month. One of those hidden costs is the energy used by your water heater. According to the Department of Energy (DOE) the energy used to heat water in your home is approximately 14% of your total utility bill. Not ready to take the plunge to a solar or tankless water heater? No problem. Follow these suggestions to cut the cost of heating water in your home up to 20%...each month.

Lower the temperature in the water heater to 115°–120°. When the temperature drops in winter, many homeowners raise the temperature of their water heater. Reducing the temperature of the water heater is typically not noticeable, and will reduce water heating costs by about 5%.

Take shorter showers. Reducing the length of a shower by just three (3) minutes can save a minimum of 10 gallons of water. Over the course of a year, that eliminates the need to heat over 14,600 gallons of water.

Switch to low-flow faucets and shower heads. Installing showerheads and faucets which don’t exceed 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm) require a small investment of less than $20 per installed piece of equipment and can save up to 25% on water heating costs.

Insulate exposed water pipes. Sure it only freezes maybe once or twice a year in central Texas, but insulating hot water pipes keeps water temperature 2°-4° and conserves energy because less time is required to heat water. If you have a gas water heater, make sure insulation is a minimum of six (6) inches from the flue.

For electric water heaters - use appliances during “off-peak” hours and utilize a timer. Some utility companies charge higher rates per kilowatt-hour during peak times – typically between 2pm – 6pm. Take showers in the morning and/or evening, and run other appliances such as the dishwasher and laundry during “off-peak” hours. A timer conserves energy and reduces water heating costs by turning off electric water heaters during peak times and overnight.

Together, these simple, cost-effective methods will reduce water usage, and conserve energy by reducing the energy required to heat water in your home. Total annual water heating costs can be reduced by at least 20%.

For those of you ready to take the “plunge” next week I’ll discuss the advantages of replacing older water heaters with solar or tankless water heaters…

You can save an additional 20-40% on utility bills and increase the comfort by making energy efficient upgrades to your home or office. Not only can you save with these home energy saver ideas, but saving energy can also be accomplished by installing energy efficient upgrades such as whole house air sealing, duct sealing, attic insulation, attic ventilation, radiant barrier, wall foam insulation, and spray foam insulation. Schedule an energy performance assessment today.