Energy-Efficient Water Heater Tips

One of the biggest energy users in your home, next to heating and cooling systems, is your hot water system. A typical home uses 1000-4000 kiloWatt-hours per year with its water heater, including dishwashing and laundry water. To become more energy efficient with your water heater, follow these tips:

• Reduce your water heating bill by 10 percent by lowering the water heater temperature from 140°F to 120F°. (Keep the temperature at 140°F if you use a dishwasher without a temperature booster.)
• Once a year, drain a bucket of water of the bottom of the water heater tank. This gets rid of sediment, which can waste energy by "blocking" the water in the tank from the heating element.
• Locate water heaters as close to the points of hot water usage as possible. The longer the supply pipe, the more heat is lost.
• Insulate your hot water supply pipes to reduce heat loss. Hardware stores sell pipe insulation kits.
• Consider buying a water heater insulation kit, which reduces the amount of heat lost through the walls of the tank.
• Repair any leaky faucets promptly.
• Use sink stoppers instead of letting water run while shaving and washing dishes.
• Take showers instead of baths.
• Set the washing machine temperature to cold or warm and the rinse temperature to cold as often as possible.
• Wash only full loads of clothing and dishes - but do not overload machines.
• Scrape food off dishes and rinse them with cold water before placing them in the dishwasher.

Buying Tips

• Consult a plumber to determine what size water heater you need. Some general guidelines:
  • 1-4 occupants: 30-50 gallons
  • 4-7 occupants: 50-80 gallons
  • 7+ occupants: 80+ gallons
• If rooms requiring hot water are widely separated, it may be more efficient to install two or more smaller heaters rather than one central water heater.