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Home Heating Tips for Winter

Water heating is necessary for every home, and it is typically the second largest energy expense that homeowners have to pay. For most consumers, water heating accounts for approximately 18% of their utility bill, next to heating and cooling their home. The traditional hot water tank will consume the most energy, so this article discusses how to save on utility expenses.

There are various ways that you can cut down your water heating bill, such as the following:

1. Use less hot water, especially for laundry
2. Turn down the thermostat on the water heater
3. Make sure your water heater is insulated
4. Buy a new, more efficient heater model

General Water Heating Tips

Below are some further tips that can help you to heat your water more efficiently:

• Install some aerating, low-flow shower heads and faucets throughout your home.
• Repair any leaky faucets as soon as possible, since they can waste a lot of water in a short amount of time.
• Set the thermostat on the water heater to 120°F for comfortable hot water that is suitable for bathing and washing.
• Insulate the electric hot-water storage tank, but ensure that you do not cover the thermostat. Always follow the manufacturer's recommendations precisely.
• If you have a natural gas or oil hot-water storage tank, insulate this as well, and again, be careful not to cover the thermostat or any part of the water heater's compartments.
• Insulate the hot and cold water pipes that are connected to your water heater. Six feet of insulation should be sufficient.
• When buying a new dishwasher or washing machine, always try to buy an energy efficient model that saves water, such as the ENERGY STAR® models, to cut down on your hot water use.
• Install some heat traps on the water pipes of the heater to prevent heat from escaping. Many new water heaters come with built-in heat traps to save you the trouble of doing it.
• Every 3 months, drain at least one quart of water from the water tank to remove any sediment that may impede heat transfer and reduce the efficiency of your heater.

Remember, that while most hot water tanks last about 10-15 years, you should start shopping for a new one if your current water heater is more than 7 years old. Always do your research before the heater fails, so that you can select one that best meets your needs.

Long-Term Savings Tips

The tips below can help you save water and energy over the long-term:

• If your heater is getting old, buy a new energy-efficient heater. Although it may cost you more initially than buying a standard water heater, you will save more energy and money during the lifetime of the appliance. Remember to look for the ENERGY STAR® labels.
• Consider using natural gas or tankless water heaters, which can heat your water directly without having to use a storage tank.
• Install a drain-water heat recovery system which can capture the energy from waste hot water from showers and dishwashers and preheat cold water entering the water heater.
• Using pump water heaters are cost effective and can cut water heating bills down by more than half over the standard electric water heaters. If you have the water heater in your basement, it can also dehumidify the area in the summer months. Since this technology may have some installation challenges, you should always consult a professional installer before you purchase it.

Solar Water Heaters

If you heat your water with electricity, or have a high electric bill, consider installing a solar water heater. The solar heaters are environmentally friendly, since they do not emit greenhouse gases, and can be installed on your roof to blend in with the architecture of your home. They are particularly convenient if you have a south-facing, unshaded roof on which to place them. As with any heater, look for the ENERGY STAR label when shopping for a solar heater.

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