Tips On Reducing Hot Water Usage

 

Homeowners in the Hastings and Anoka communities looking to reduce their monthly utility bills are excited about the savings potential offered by reducing their hot water usage. Even those who believe they are pretty careful about using hot water forget that reducing the use of this limited natural resource represents double savings. You will be reducing your water bill and the cost of electricity used to heat the water. So your effort in curtailing the use of hot water and hot water waste is sure to pay off. The team at Lumberjack Electric, along with the pros at Paul Bunyan Plumbing And Drains, have created a helpful guide to reducing your home’s hot water consumption.

Adjust The Thermostat

You might be shocked to learn that your home’s water heater consumes about 20% of all the electricity used in your home. So decreasing the time that your water heater is in operation can create significant savings. One of the easiest ways to accomplish this task is to reduce the factory setting on the water heater from 140 degrees to 120 degrees. This is hot enough to meet the needs of most households and helps prevent accidental scalding from excessively hot water. Then, adjust your shower to blend slightly less cold water into the hot water, and you can still enjoy that steaming hot shower.

Insulate The Holding Tank

If you have a traditional tank-style water heater, understand that the majority of the energy the unit uses is devoted to keeping the water in the holding tank hot. Adding an insulating water heater jacket is ideal for keeping the water hot longer while conserving energy. But be sure to purchase only insulators that the water heater manufacturer recommends to ensure the safety of your home and loved ones.

Switch To Cold Water

There are many ways to save on water heating expenses by using cold water. One of the most significant is when doing the laundry. In the past, consumers used warm or hot water for the added cleaning capability. However, with the advances in cold water-specific detergents, cold water is just as effective as hot water, and the cost is substantially less.

You will also be happy to discover that your clothing will have fewer wrinkles, and the fabrics will last longer when washed in cold water. So you are saving money on the cost of water heating and replacing worn-out clothing.

Repairing Leaks

Even a single dripping faucet can be wasting much hot water. Just ten drips per minute will waste nearly a gallon and a half of water each day or almost 45 gallons a month. Having that leak or drip repaired will eliminate the waste of water and the energy used to heat it. In addition, it will prevent further water damage when that small drip turns into a leak due to added pipe corrosion. Take the proactive step and avoid many costly and annoying issues.

Contact the Lumberjack Electric team at 612-236-9052 for all your electrical concerns, including wiring needs for your water heater.