One of the largest energy guzzlers and costs for households is water heating. In light of the ongoing surge in energy prices, it is important to explore strategies for reducing those sky-high water heating expenses. The good news is, that there are plenty of simple strategies you can implement to maximize energy efficiency and put a big dent in your utility bills. SunCity Hot Water doesn’t just help you with installation, repairs, and maintenance but we also give some tips to our customers on how to save when it comes to water heating systems.
- Insulate Your Water Heater and Pipes
One absurdly simple and affordable method of cutting down on energy waste is to insulate your water heater. If you have an older tank model, an insulation blanket or jacket can reduce heat losses by up to 45%, saving you about 16 cents per hour. Even though the most recent energy-efficient models have improved insulation, they can nevertheless need an additional layer of protection. By minimizing heat loss through the tank’s walls, proper insulation lowers the energy needed to maintain the water’s temperature.
Foam insulation sleeves are an affordable means to insulate any exposed hot water pipes and retain heat. As a result, there is less waste from having to reheat cooled water that has been in exposed pipes. This decreases cooling as the hot water moves to your taps. In the long run, this project saves a significant amount of money and is simple to complete.
- Fix Leaks Right Away
A hot tap dripping or a hidden leak, over the course of a year, those little drips add up to hundreds of liters of wasted water and energy. You can stop that valuable hot water and the energy used to heat it from practically going down the drain by fixing leaks as soon as possible. It’s an easy maintenance chore that saves money and has a smaller negative impact on the environment.
- Lower The Thermostat
You can save up to 5% on your water heating expenses for every 10°C you drop the temperature setting. The majority of homes can safely reduce the water heater’s thermostat to 50°C or even lower without sacrificing their requirement for hot water. It is simply unnecessary to have it set to temperatures higher than 60°C. Of course, you might need to maintain it at or below 50°C to avoid scalding problems if you have extremely young children or elderly residents.
- Install Taps and Showerheads with Low Flow
Modern low-flow alternatives to outdated, inefficient showerheads and taps are a wise investment with a very high return. Low-flow models still provide enough performance and pressure, but they consume up to 50% less hot water. Additionally, they lessen the strain on your water heater, which lowers maintenance costs and heating demands.
- Use Cold Water for Partial Loads
When running a few items through the dishwasher or washing partial loads of laundry, there’s no need to use hot water. Compared to tank-style water heaters, current washers and dishwashers use significantly less energy because they are built to properly heat the water throughout wash cycles. To maximize the storage capacity of your water heater, only use hot water for full, highly soiled loads.
- Off-Peak Heating
If you’re ready to move your water heating schedule to the night, several energy providers offer lower off-peak prices. These systems heat water in low-demand times when electricity is far less expensive by utilizing the extra tank capacity in your house and scheduled controls. If your everyday schedule and hot water needs can work with the off-peak schedule, it’s a cost-effective option to consider.
- Schedule Regular Maintenance
For your water heater to operate as efficiently as possible, regular maintenance is necessary. By frequently flushing the tank, you may increase efficiency and prolong the life of your water heater by removing built-up sediment. For assistance on appropriate maintenance techniques, speak with a licensed plumber or review the manufacturer’s instructions.
Try These Tips and See How It Goes!
You can optimize the usage of your hot water system and even save money with these tips we presented. The money you save may be small when you look at it like the 16 cents you save per hour when you insulate the tank and pipes but it definitely adds up when you put into practice every cost-saving strategy that you can.
Call Us SunCity Hot Water to Take a Look at Your Hot Water System!
We not only create cost-saving tips and strategies like this article over here but we also install, repair, and maintain your hot water system so you don’t have to! Get the best deals and services with a free quote from us! Even when you encounter a problem at any time you’ll be able to contact us with our 24/7 urgent service so don’t hesitate to call and let us remove your problems!