Did you know that water heating is the third-largest energy expense in a typical home? It usually accounts for roughly 12 percent of your energy bill, meaning saving hot water can really help save you money.
Use Less Hot Water
Become more conscious about your usage habits. For example, try to be a little quicker in the shower and don't leave the water running while you brush your teeth. Also, make changes to your water system to decrease usage.
Turn Down The Temperature
Too many people simply leave their water heater set at the factory temperature. You can decrease the cost of heating the water and the amount of standby heat lost by lowering the temperature to 115 or 120 degrees. If you don't have a dishwasher or clothes washing machine connecting to the heater, the temperature can be set even lower.
Insulate Your Water Heater And Pipes
Insulate your water heater, using insulation that has a thermal resistance rating of at least R-12 and insulate the hot water pipes for no less than the first six feet from the heater. Pipes that aren't properly insulated can lose nearly 20 percent of the heat they carry, especially if they are old.
Look Into New, More Efficient Water Heaters
Efficient water heaters are an investment that pay for themselves. They lower your energy bills by saving hot water, losing less heat and consuming less electricity or fuel. If you're not ready to make a purchase, drain your tank annually to remove sediment and follow the three tips above to lower the impact of a less-efficient unit.
If you have any questions about which tips will be make the biggest impact for your home, contact your Hampton Roads experts at Russell's Heating and Cooling. We can help you understand how much money you can save by updating your usage habits and water heating system so you can make a knowledgeable decision.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
Russell’s Heating & Cooling services the Chesapeake, Virginia and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!