Did you know that the average US family uses hot water for less than 1 hour per day? But at the same time the majority of homes use a standard issue tank hot water heating system that either runs on gas or electricity for 24 hours a day.
Turn The Hot Water Tank Temperature Down
If you have a traditional tank hot water heater that runs all the time, turn the temperature on your hot water heater down. This will save you money, and you probably won’t be able to tell much difference in water temperature. It is also safer to have a little cooler water when you have children in the house. A cooler hot water heater temperature can prevent a little one from scalding themselves with hot water from the tap.
Replace Old Hot Water System With On Demand Hot Water System
For your next hot water heater check into replacing your traditional system with an on demand tankless hot water heater. These systems are more common outside the U.S. and provide a great source of hot water. With a tankless on demand hot water system you’ll never have to worry about going with hot water again.
Although these systems are more expensive than a traditional system, they will save you money in the long run as they only use electricity or gas when they are being used. You’ll also love the convenience of never running out of hot water.
Purchase A High Efficiency Hot Water Heater
Purchase a high efficiency tank hot water heater. These systems are less expensive than a tankless system and can provide a source of water in an emergency where your home is cut off from municipal water sources.
Install A Solar Hot Water System
Install a solar hot water system. Solar water heaters are pretty economical in many metropolitan areas where utility companies offer some sort of rebate or incentive to purchase one. You may also qualify for some sort of state and federal subsidy or tax credit for installing a solar water heater. This method of heating your water can reduce your hot water bill on average around 20% and in some sunny locations by as much as 50% annually.
After reviewing these four suggestions, you should be able to find one of these energy saving methods to work for you. Looking for ways to save money on utility payments is a great place to trim your money expenses, although some upfront expense may be necessary. Do some looking around with your local and state government offices for grant programs and call your local utility provider. Both of these offices will have resources on tax rebates and other incentives to help you make energy efficient improvements to your home.
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