Heading into the winter heating season, it’s important to take all possible steps to minimize energy bills while maintaining your family’s comfort. While keeping your thermostat at a reasonable temperature and taking important weatherization steps can be crucial, a complete top-down analysis of your energy bill will reveal other steps you can take.
In particular, the Department of Energy estimates that the costs of heating water can amount to nearly 20% of the overall energy cost for a home, depending on the settings and amount of water used for cooking, showers and the like. You can adjust the temperature on your water heater, and can save an estimated 3% for every 10 degrees that you dial down - most likely, you won’t notice the change outside of the reduction in your bill. Make sure that your water heater is running efficiently and has no leaks. If you’re looking to upgrade to a new water heater, consider an electric unit with a auto shut-off timer for off-peak hours that can save you an additional 5% or more. You may also want to consider solar water heating, which can further reduce you energy bills by harnessing the power of the fun to provide a passive source of heat throughout the day.
