Simple ways to save on water heating bills

Your Path to Energy Savings
By Carole Fisher, Special to The Ithaca Journal
February 28, 2011

The cost of hot water heating is often overlooked, even though it is typically the second largest energy expense in our homes. By reducing hot water use with simple, low-cost methods, you could see sizeable savings.

Repairing leaks in faucets and showers can save a great deal.  A leak of one drip per second from a hot water faucet adds up to over 300 gallons per year and $12 in extra energy costs.

 Save even more by installing energy-saving showerheads and faucet aerators. If you have an older showerhead that uses 5 gallons of water per minute (gpm), replace it with a new showerhead using only 2.5 gpm, reducing hot water use by 50%. See if your showerhead is a good candidate for replacement by turning on the shower to your normal flow. Hold a bucket under the spray that has been marked at the level where it holds one gallon. Time how many seconds it takes to fill the bucket to the one gallon mark. If it takes less than 20 seconds, you could benefit from a lower-flow showerhead. At a cost of $10 to $20 for a good quality new showerhead, it would pay for itself in about 4 months, while still providing you with an invigorating shower.

Bathroom and kitchen faucet aerators can also be switched to energy-saving models. While one gpm may suffice in the bathroom, you may want a slightly higher flow in the kitchen if you regularly fill the kitchen sink for washing dishes.

Another way to reduce water heating costs is to reduce the temperature setting on your water heater. Usually set at 140°F at the factory, a lower setting of 120°F is satisfactory for most household needs. For each 10 degree reduction in water temperature, energy consumption can be reduced 3-5 percent.

For more low- or no-cost energy saving ideas, come to a Save Energy Save Dollars program at CCE-Tompkins.

Last Updated: May 25, 2011