Water Heaters Can Save Energy and Money

Jun 19
09:08

2012

Andrea Avery

Andrea Avery

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Water heaters can consume a lot of energy. To save money and conserve electricity follow a few basic tips to reduce waste.

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It may not occur to many,Water Heaters Can Save Energy and Money Articles but cost of running water heaters can be as much as a quarter of the monthly bill. For a single family home that is a significant amount of money that can easily and effectively be reduced through a number of easy steps. There is no reason not to take the time to perform these money and energy saving steps. The secret is simply to understand that many people use far more than they really need. The easiest and most basic thing a person can do is not to turn on the hot faucet when using the cold. Many people have a tendency to naturally turn on both handles to increase the flow. Remember that every time that the hot faucet is turned, water heaters will begin to refill with liquids from the pipes. This means that the unit has to turn back on to get everything back up to temperature. When you do not need it don't use it and it will remain warm and insulated at a much lower energy use level. Also, turn down the thermostat on the side of water heaters. Lots of people think that having the thermostat turned way up is somehow better for them. It is true that bacteria will be killed in the washing machine and dishwasher with higher temperatures, but there are plenty of highly effective antibacterial detergents and soaps that can accomplish the same killing power. They even make laundry detergent that is specially designed to work best in a cold cycle. This cleans and also protects the colors of clothing. A homeowner can conserve by reducing consumption by taking a shower instead of a bath. Baths use up to fifteen gallons, while showers use less than half of that. A person can also use a timer to ensure that they do not spend too long bathing. Many people tend to try to balance the temperature in the shower by adjusting the faucets until an ideal combination comes out. This simply ends up in more wasted liquids and a higher bill. Water heaters will need to be refilled faster and more often and that results in a huge increase in cost. Start washing the dishes by hand when there are only a few to be done. Dishwashers use a large amount of energy and are a waste when only washing a few items. Also, look into replacing all of the fixtures with low flow alternatives. They even make toilets with low and high flow options. A final simple way of reducing the wasted energy coming from water heaters is to install a blanket or insulation around them. The cost is minimal and the benefits are incredible. They can conserve warmth inside the unit for a long time and will be a significant saving over the years.