Take short showers instead of baths. By taking a five-minute shower, you are only using about 10 gallons of water. When you take a bath, you use 15-25 gallons.
Fix faucet leaks immediately. These leaks can lead to many gallons of wasted water much faster than you think. If it is leaking hot water, then you will also be wasting energy.
Lower the thermostat on your water heater. Water heaters are often installed with the temperature setting set much higher than necessary.
Replace showerheads with low-flow showerheads, and install aerators onto your faucets.
Prevent loss of heat by insulating your hot water heaters and pipes. If you decide to do this yourself, make sure that you leave the thermostat, burner compartment, floor and top of the heater uncovered. If you have any doubts about the installation, give us a call for advice, or to have us complete the installation.
Drain a quart of water from your water heater each month, or until the water runs clear. This can help to eliminate any settlement that can interfere with the efficiency of your water heater. Consult the manufacturer’s instructions for a guide on how to do this.
If you are installing a new water heater, select one with lots of insulation. While the heater may have a higher up-front cost, it will pay for itself through energy savings.
