Top Ways To Reduce Your Water Heating Costs
Heating water efficiently is your water heater’s task. However, making sure that you use the same hot water efficiently and economically is your responsibility. Lowering your water heating costs is always an exciting topic. It will not only impact the environment significantly, but it will benefit your wallet as well.
Each of us can do something to use less water. In turn, you can keep more of your hard-earned money in the bank. If you are prepared to commit to some habit changes, then you are well on your way to reducing your water heating costs.
Consult the professional plumbers of R.F. Ohl for any plumbing issues you may be experiencing. We provide superior plumbing services including water heater maintenance, installations, repairs, and more. Our plumbers will correctly diagnose your plumbing system and offer solutions that fit your needs. We guarantee that all our services are fast, reliable, and affordable. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
How A Tankless Water Heater & Other Means Can Reduce Your Water Heating Costs
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Your water heating costs account for around 12-18 percent of your total utility bills. Simply put, heating water is costly. Here are some ways to help you lower your water heating bill.
Turn The Faucet Off
Take the time to assess your water usage. If you leave the faucet on while you brush your teeth, for example, you might want to change that. Turn the faucet off when you aren’t using it. Make sure you completely shut it off, so it doesn’t drip.
If your faucet drips or leaks, get it fixed immediately. A leaky faucet wastes around 3,000 gallons of water per year. If the leak comes from your hot water faucet, then you’ll also be using more energy to heat more water to make up for what you lose from the leak. Therefore, you’ll be paying a costly water bill. You’ll also drive up your water heating bill at the end of each month.
Lower The Water Heater’s Thermostat
The average temperature of your water heater is at 140 degrees Fahrenheit. By lowering it to 120 degrees, you will save up to 10 percent in your water heating bill. For every 10 degrees that you reduce your water heater’s temperature, you can save 3-5 percent in your water heating costs. At 120 degrees, you will still get the hot water that you need but without the added costs.
Use Less Hot Water When Doing Laundry
Use cold water when washing your clothes. In fact, using the cold water setting in your washer will significantly benefit the longevity of your clothes. It can adequately remove soil and stains. Also, cold water reduces the chances of your clothes fading, shrinking, and color bleeding.
However, if hot water is necessary for washing your clothes, opt to use warm water instead. The hot water setting is at 130 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other hand, the warm water setting is around 100 degrees. Remember that you can save more in your water heating costs when you use a lower temperature setting. Warm water produces the same stain-removing results as hot water but without the additional costs.
Another thing that you can do is use cold water to rinse off your clothes. Rinse water has little to no effect when it comes to dirt and stain removal. Therefore, cold water works just as well as hot water does when it comes to rinsing away detergent and soil. You will save money because you won’t pay the extra cost of using heated water.
Change Your Bathing Habits
If you and your family like taking long, hot baths, then you might want to rethink and change this habit. Filling up a bathtub with hot water uses a lot of water, especially if done daily. Take short showers instead. Moreover, turn off the shower when you’re lathering up.
For additional savings, consider installing a low-flow showerhead. A standard showerhead uses around 2.5 gallons of water per minute (GPM). A low-flow showerhead uses about 2 GPM or lower. You will conserve water while, at the same time, you will reduce energy usage for heating water.
Drain The Sediment In Your Tank
The sediment is made of any solid material that has settled at the bottom of your water heater’s tank. It is a mixture of debris from the water mains and minerals that precipitate out of the hot water.
The sediment that accumulates strains your water heater.
This overstraining leads to a higher utility bill. Also, your water heater is more prone to wear and tear. This deterioration will lead to a shorter lifespan for your water heater.
The tank needs to be drained to remove the sediment. This essential maintenance task should be done by a professional at least twice a year. However, it is more beneficial if it is done quarterly. Contact a professional plumber to drain your tank correctly.
Install A Tankless Water Heater
A gas or electric tankless water heater is more efficient than a traditional one when it comes to heating water. You might want to consider installing a tankless water heater in your home. Also, many benefits come with a tankless water heater.
A tankless water heater works by heating the cold water without the use of a storage tank. Simply open the hot water faucet, and the cold water will travel through a pipe and into the unit. The unit will then heat the water with a heating element. This way, you will have an unlimited supply of hot water. Moreover, you will only use energy when you open a hot water tap. Therefore, you will reduce up to 20 percent off your utility bill.
Other benefits that come with a tankless water heater is that it lasts 10-15 years longer than storage tanks. It also requires less space since you can mount a tankless water on the wall or hide it under/inside a closet. Most tankless water heaters also come with a federal tax rebate of $300 or more. Best of all, you do not have to worry about flooding in your basement due to a corroded storage tank.
When you look into tankless water heater pros and cons and tankless water heater reviews, you will notice that these systems are quite beneficial. If you are interested in installaing an on-demand water heater for your home, be sure to talk to a reputable plumber in your area.
Conclusion
There are many ways you can reduce your water heating costs. It can be as simple as changing some hot water usage habits like taking short showers.
You can also opt to install water-efficient plumbing fixtures such as aerator faucets or low-flow showerheads. A trusted local plumber can help you find the best way to lower the water heating costs in your home.
When you are in need of plumbing services, R.F. Ohl has you covered.
It is best to consult with our professional plumbers so that an expert can assess and diagnose any plumbing issues you have. This way, you can get your home back to working order quickly.
We offer fast and reliable plumbing services at affordable prices.
We guarantee that our plumbers will get the job done correctly to satisfy you fully. We want your experience with us to be one that is pleasant. Call us today to discuss your plumbing needs. We offer free, in-home estimates. Call us now!
Contact us today or give us a call at (610) 377-1098 if you have any questions.