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Water heating is the second largest energy expense in your home. In fact, the average household uses around 45 gallons of hot water per day. Water usage can account for about 18 percent of your household energy costs. There are basically four ways to help reduce your water heating bills: use less hot water, turn down the thermostat, insulate it, or buy a new, more efficient model. These tips can help extend the life of your water heater and prevent scalding accidents. They are also easy ways to keep your energy dollars from going down the drain.

Water Heating Tips
• Install aerating, low-flow faucets and showerheads. When using less water, you’re using less hot water, too. Achieve water savings of 25 to 60 percent by installing low-flow fixtures.

• Opt for short showers. Hot water is money, and every drop you don't use is money saved. Shorter showers means less work for your water heater and more hot water for the next person.

• Repair leaky faucets promptly; a leaky faucet wastes gallons of water in a short period of time.

• Set the thermostat on your water heater to 120°F to get comfortable hot water for most uses. Setting the water temperature too high can waste $36-$61 each year in standby heat losses. This temp is safer for your family, preventing scalding or burning accidents. The magic number of 120°F helps reduce mineral buildup in tanks and pipes.

• Insulate your electric water heater storage tank but be careful not to cover the thermostat. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

• Insulate the first 6 feet of the hot and cold water pipes connected to the water heater.

• If you are in the market for a new dishwasher or clothes washer, consider buying an efficient, water-saving ENERGY STAR® model to reduce hot water use.

• Wash clothes with cold water. Using cold water can cut a load's energy use by more than half. Newer detergents contain enzymes that work just as well in cold water if you're concerned about washing on the cold setting. It is also gentler on your clothes, and prevents them from fading, bleeding and shrinking.

• Install heat traps on the hot and cold pipes at the water heater to prevent heat loss. Most new water heaters have built-in heat traps.

• Drain a quart of water from your water tank every 3 months to remove sediment that impedes heat transfer and lowers the efficiency of your heater. Follow the manufacturer’s directions.

• Although most water heaters last 10-15 years, it’s best to start shopping now for a new one if yours is more than 7 years old. Doing research before your water heater fails will enable you to select one that most appropriately meets your needs.

Long-Term Savings Tips

• Buy a new energy-efficient heat pump water heater. While it may cost more initially than a standard water heater, the energy savings will continue during the lifetime of the appliance. Look for the ENERGY STAR® and EnergyGuide labels.

• Heat pump water heaters can be very cost effective. They typically use 50 percent less electricity to heat water than conventional electric water heaters — a 50-gallon heat pump water heater costs $234 less (on average) to operate per year than a standard 50-gallon water heater. When using less water, you’re using less hot water, too. Achieve water savings of 25 to 60 percent by installing low-flow fixtures.

By helping you reduce energy use and make your home more energy efficient, we’re connecting you to savings.