(Staying out of) Hot water
In the average home, hot water usage accounts for one third of total household energy consumption. To reduce this figure and your bill, follow these tips:
- Fit an AAA-rated low flow shower head. It’ll save you up to $100 per year on your energy and water bills - and save precious water.
- A high efficiency natural gas water heater produces around two-thirds the greenhouse emissions generated by an electric heater. It will also save you hundreds of dollars in energy bills over the lifetime of the system.
- The eco-friendly sun heats water beautifully. A solar hot water system can reduce your household hot water bill by up to 70%.
- Take 3 minute showers. Baths not only use twice as much water as showers, they require twice as much energy to heat.
- Going away? Turn the power off on your hot water system.
- Fix any leaking taps to avoid water wastage. Remember that even a small leak wastes large amounts of water.
- Check the pressure relief valve on the side of your hot water tank to avoid wasting water you're paying to heat.
- Use cold water in the laundry whenever you can.
- When installing a new hot water system, try to locate it close to your bathroom, kitchen and laundry. Less heat will be lost traveling through the pipes. Insulate the pipes to further minimize heat loss.
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