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5 Ways to Reduce Your Water Heater Bill

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There’s something pleasant about drawing a warm bath after a long, cold day. But with the temperatures dropping this winter, you’ll find your Fresno water heater bill is on the rise. But the question stands, how can you reduce your water heater bill?

While you still want to enjoy the luxuries of a warm bubble bath at the end of the day, there are a few things you can do to save money and be more eco-friendly.

Take a look at our top 5 ways to reduce your water heater bill at the end of the month and continue saving energy in your home.

Reduce your water heater bill

1) Trade baths for showers

While your savings may depend on your family’s bathing habits, consider trading out baths for showers. Baths can use a significant amount of water as compared to showers. Using excess amounts of hot water can add quite the tally to your electric bill every month.

This is exceptionally true for those of you who have large jetted bathtubs. A warm bath with jets massaging your muscles is a nice luxury after working hard, but those pennies can quickly add up. Also, if you can handle it, try turning off the water while you’re taking a shower in between shaving, shampooing your hair, and soaping up. Just a little bit of effort can add up to significant savings at the end of the year.

2) Fix costly leaks

According to Drip Taps’ drip calculator, did you know a steady leak of one drip per second can add up over the course of a year? One drip per second doesn’t sound like a lot, but let’s put this into perspective for you.

At 60 drips per minute, you’re wasting approximately 8.64 gallons of water per day. This is equal to 259 gallons of water per month, which is 3,153 gallons of water per year! That’s money washing down the drain and going to waste.

3) Lower your water heater by 10 degrees

Did you know for every 10ºF you lower your water heater temperature, you can save an average of 3 to 5% on your water heating costs? It’s true. While scorching hot showers feel nice, they’re not good for your skin and is even worse for your wallet.

Try turning down your water heater temperature by 10 degrees. Afterward, go to your local hardware store and pick up a timer for your water heater. There are various makes and models, which can be adjusted to your home’s particular needs. The goal is to set the water heater to operate for specific durations during peak times and turn off altogether at night while it’s not in use.

4) Use cold water for laundry

According to energy.gov, the average daily hot water usage in the United States is 64 gallons of water. That’s a lot of water! The majority of it, approximately 25 gallons, is being used in your washer.

Consider using cold water and limit the amount of hot water you use when washing your clothes. You’ll save lots of money doing so, and your clothes won’t become faded as quickly. Also, to conserve more hot water, consider upgrading to an Energy Star-rated energy-efficient washer.

5) Install low-flow faucets and fixtures

Due to federal regulations, new shower heads are required to have a low flow rate. However, if your faucets, showerheads and other fixtures predate 1992, they could be pushing out twice the amount of water as new ones. Consider installing low-flow faucets and fixtures. You’ll achieve a savings upwards of 25 to 60% and they’ll quickly make up for their investment.

For more information on how to save on your water heater bill, take a look at the water saving tips on Energy.gov.

What do you do around the house to reduce your water heater bill?

Written by Thomas Howard
