Saving Energy and Solar Heating
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Energy Saving and Water Heating
Energy Bills Got You In Hot Water? Take the Heat out of the Bills and Back in to Your Water!
After space heating, appliances and lighting, The third largest expense in the average household is water heating. It usually accounts for about 13% of your utility bill.
After space heating, appliances and lighting, The third largest expense in the average household is water heating. It usually accounts for about 13% of your utility bill.
Ways to Save on your Water Heating Bill
There are several ways to reduce your water heating bill:
- Use less hot water
- Turn down the thermostat on you water heater
- Make sure the water heater is properly insulated
- Get a new more efficient water heater.
Ways to Cut Down on Hot Water Usage
Save on Your Energy Bill
Following are some easy-to-follow tips on how to reduce your energy bill by decreasing hot water usage in your home.
- Install aerating low-flow faucets and shower heads. This is a proven method of reducing water usage.
- If you find a leaking faucet, replace it instantly. Even small water leaks waste gallons of water within just a few hours.Check the thermostat on your water heater. A setting of 120 degrees F provides comfortable hot water for most situations. If you have your thermostat set at a much higher setting you will end up mixing cold water with your hot at the faucet or in the shower, essentially throwing away money. When getting a new water heater always check the thermostat settings, as most factories ship new water heaters with high temperature settings.
- Take showers instead of baths. Baths generally use more hot water than showers.
- Make sure the electric hot-water storage tank is insulated, but do not cover the thermostat. Of course check and follow the manufacturer's recommendations before making any changes. If you have a natural gas or oil hot-water storage tank, do not to cover the water heater's top, bottom, thermostat, or burner compartment. Be sure to check and follow the manufacturer's recommendations. If there are any doubts, contact a professional.
- Insulate the first six feet of the hot and cold water pipes connected to your water heater.
- When buying new equipment such as a dishwasher, clothes washer, or any other device consuming hot water consider buying an efficient, water-saving ENERGY STAR (R) model to reduce hot water use. (You can find some good energy-efficient and green products here
.
- Heat traps on the hot and cold pipes at the water heater prevent heat loss. Get heat traps installed.
- Ensure your water heater is properly maintained. Sludge and mineral deposits can accumulate inside the tank and on the heat exchanger coils. This can drastically reduce the effectiveness of your water heater. Draining a quart of water from your water tank every 3 months will help to remove sediment that affects heat transfer. The type of water tank you have determines the steps to take, so follow the manufacturer's advice.
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Solar Water Heaters
If you have a conventional water heater, but have high electric, gas or oil rates you might be able to benefit from a solar water heater.
To use a solar hot water heater you need an unshaded area or a south-facing (or north-facing, if you live in the southern hemisphere) location on your property, such as on the roof.
The solar water heating units are environmentally friendly, and produce no greenhouse gasses. They be installed on your roof to blend with the architecture of your house.
More than 1.5 million homes and businesses, in the United States alone, have invested in solar water heating systems. In some other countries, the figure is much higher. Japan alone has more than 10 million solar water heaters in use.
Surveys amongst U.S. solar water heating customers indicate that over 94% consider the systems to be a good investment.
Solar hot water heating systems are also great for the environment. Solar water heaters do not produce harmful greenhouse gas emissions whereas conventional water heaters do. During a 20-year time period, one domestic solar water heater will avoid over 50 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
If you are interested in solar water heaters, look for systems certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation or the Florida Solar Energy Center.
You might also be able to benefit from tax credits or rebates when installing a solar water heater. Go to Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy Website to see if you could qualify for tax credits or rebates in your area.
To use a solar hot water heater you need an unshaded area or a south-facing (or north-facing, if you live in the southern hemisphere) location on your property, such as on the roof.
The solar water heating units are environmentally friendly, and produce no greenhouse gasses. They be installed on your roof to blend with the architecture of your house.
More than 1.5 million homes and businesses, in the United States alone, have invested in solar water heating systems. In some other countries, the figure is much higher. Japan alone has more than 10 million solar water heaters in use.
Surveys amongst U.S. solar water heating customers indicate that over 94% consider the systems to be a good investment.
Solar hot water heating systems are also great for the environment. Solar water heaters do not produce harmful greenhouse gas emissions whereas conventional water heaters do. During a 20-year time period, one domestic solar water heater will avoid over 50 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
If you are interested in solar water heaters, look for systems certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation or the Florida Solar Energy Center.
You might also be able to benefit from tax credits or rebates when installing a solar water heater. Go to Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy Website to see if you could qualify for tax credits or rebates in your area.
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starsam
Feb 16, 2009 @ 9:40 am | delete
- Your lens would be a great addition to the 'Solar Technology and Solar Energy' Group
( http://www.squidoo.com/groups/solar )
Feel free to add it anytime!
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anthony101
Oct 24, 2008 @ 12:16 am | delete
- Thanks that was interesting, didn't know solar hot water was that simple actually.
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