Hot Water Energy Conservation
Fast Facts
- About 20% of the
energy used in residences goes for heating water.
- Water heating is
the third largest energy expense in U.S. households.
- If your water heater
is more than 10 years old, it probably has an efficiency no higher than
50%.
- Reducing your water
use in general saves you money and saves the energy used to purify the
fresh water you use and the wastewater you dispose of.
- Water heaters consume
much of their energy just to keep a supply of hot water ready and waiting
in the tank. The heat gradually leaks out of the tank until the heater
turns on again to heat the water back up.
What can
I do to save energy in my home?
- Replace your old
water heater with a new, higher-efficiency model.
- Solar water heating
is one option for reducing the energy you use for water heating
- Reduce your hot
water use by buying appliances with low water usage, such as front-loading
(horizontal-axis) washing machines, and by installing water-conserving
plumbing fixtures.
- Insulate your hot
water heater to minimize heat loss. Ready-made kits for insulating water
heaters and hot water pipes are available at hardware stores and building
supply stores.
- Lower the thermostats
on your water heater to 120°F.
- For electric water
heaters, install a timer that can automatically turn the hot water off
at night and on in the morning. A simple timer can pay for itself in
less than a year.
- Install a heat
trap above the water heater. A heat trap is a simple piping arrangement
that prevents hot water from rising up in the pipes, thereby minimizing
standby losses.
- Drain a quart of
water from your hot water tank every 3 months. This will remove sediment
that prevents heat transfer and lowers the unit's efficiency.
Additional Sources of Information
Reducing
Water Consumption Saves Energy!
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