Reduce Hot Water Use for Energy Savings
You can lower your water heating costs by using and wasting less hot water in
your home. To conserve hot water, you can fix leaks, install low-flow fixtures,
and purchase an energy-efficient dishwasher and clothes washer.
Fix Leaks
You can significantly reduce hot water use by simply repairing leaks in
fixtures—faucets and showerheads—or pipes. A leak of one drip per second can
cost $1 per month.
If your water heater's tank leaks, you need a new water heater.
Install Low-Flow Fixtures
Federal regulations mandate that new showerhead flow rates can't exceed more
than 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm) at a water pressure of 80 pounds per square
inch (psi). New faucet flow rates can't exceed 2.5 gpm at 80 psi or 2.2 gpm at
60 psi. You can purchase some quality, low-flow fixtures for around $10 to $20 a
piece and achieve water savings of 25–60%.
Showerheads
For maximum water efficiency, select a shower head with a flow rate of less
than 2.5 gpm. There are two basic types of low-flow showerheads: aerating and
laminar-flow. Aerating showerheads mix air with water, forming a misty spray.
Laminar-flow showerheads form individual streams of water. If you live in a
humid climate, you might want to use a laminar-flow showerhead because it won't
create as much steam and moisture as an aerating one.
Before 1992, some showerheads had flow rates of 5.5 gpm. Therefore, if you
have fixtures that pre-date 1992, you might want to replace them if you're not
sure of their flow rates. Here's a quick test to determine whether you should
replace a showerhead:
- Place a bucket—marked in gallon increments—under your shower head.
- Turn on the shower at the normal water pressure you use.
- Time how many seconds it takes to fill the bucket to the 1-gallon (3.8
liter) mark.
If it takes less than 20 seconds to reach the 1-gallon mark, you could
benefit from a low-flow shower head.
NOTE: All our
shower heads are 2.5 gpm water flow:
Faucets
The aerator—the screw-on tip of the faucet—ultimately determines the maximum
flow rate of a faucet. Typically, new kitchen faucets come equipped with
aerators that restrict flow rates to 2.2 gpm, while new bathroom faucets have
ones that restrict flow rates from 1.5 to 0.5 gpm.
Aerators are inexpensive to replace and they can be one of the most
cost-effective water conservation measures. For maximum water efficiency,
purchase aerators that have flow rates of no more than 1.0 gpm. Some aerators
even come with shut-off valves that allow you to stop the flow of water without
affecting the temperature. When replacing an aerator, bring the one you're
replacing to the store with you to ensure a proper fit.
Purchase Energy-Efficient Dishwashers and Clothes Washers
The biggest cost of washing dishes and clothes comes from the energy required
to heat the water. You'll significantly reduce your energy costs if you purchase
and use an energy-efficient dishwasher and clothes washer.
Dishwashers
It's commonly assumed that washing dishes by hand saves hot water. However,
washing dishes by hand several time a day can be more expensive than operating
an energy-efficient dishwasher. You can consume less energy with an
energy-efficient dishwasher when properly used and when only operating it with
full loads.
When purchasing a new dishwasher, check the EnergyGuide label to see how much
energy it uses. Dishwashers fall into one of two categories: compact capacity
and standard capacity. Although compact-capacity dishwashers may appear to be
more energy efficient on the EnergyGuide Label, they hold fewer dishes, which
may force you to use it more frequently. In this case, your energy costs could
be higher than with a standard-capacity dishwasher.
One feature that makes a dishwasher more energy efficient is a booster
heater. A booster heater increases the temperature of the water entering the
dishwasher to the 140ºF recommended for cleaning. Some dishwashers have built-in
boosters, while others require manual selection before the wash cycle begins.
Some also only activate the booster during the heavy-duty cycle. Dishwashers
with booster heaters typically cost more, but they pay for themselves with
energy savings in about 1 year if you also lower the water temperature on your
water heater.
Another dishwasher feature that reduces hot water use is the availability of
cycle selections. Shorter cycles require less water, thereby reducing energy
cost.
If you want to ensure that your new dishwasher is energy efficient, purchase
one with an ENERGY STAR® label.
Clothes Washers
Unlike dishwashers, clothes washers don't require a minimum temperature for
optimum cleaning. Therefore, to reduce energy costs, you can use either cold or
warm water for most laundry loads. Cold water is always sufficient for rinsing.
Inefficient clothes washers can cost three times as much to operate than
energy-efficient ones. Select a new machine that allows you to adjust the water
temperature and levels for different loads. Efficient clothes washers spin-dry
your clothes more effectively too, saving energy when drying as well. Also,
front-loading machines use less water and, consequently, less energy than top
loaders.
Small-capacity clothes washers often have better EnergyGuide label ratings.
However, a reduced capacity might increase the number of loads you need to run,
which could increase your energy costs.
If you want to ensure that your new clothes washer is energy efficient,
purchase one with an ENERGY STAR label.
Source: US Department of
Energy |
