Home Improvement Blog Improving Your Home And Your Life

When you get your gas or electric bill, consider that one seventh of that goes to heating your water. It may not add up to much but when you multiply that out over the year the sum quickly increases. You may think that this money is well worth all of the hot baths and warm showers that you have over the year, but what if there was a way to have this and still save some money. The truth is that by applying some simple energy saving tips, you can save energy and money without having to sacrifice those long, well deserved hours of relaxation that hot baths and showers provide.

The first step is to actually reduce the amount of hot water used. This may sound radical but it really isn’t. There are several simple steps you can take to reduce the amount of hot water, without having to take cold showers or wear your clothes until they can walk themselves. The first thing you should do is fix any taps that drip or leak. This may seem insignificant but even the smallest drip can add to your water consumption. Second, try turning the taps off while you brush your teeth or shave. Many of us let it run which not only wastes water but also runs up your costs. Million of gallons of water per day would be saved if everyone employed this technique.

The next tip does require a bit of an investment, but will pay for itself quite quickly. Consider having a low flow showerhead installed. These reduce water consumption by up to 30 percent. They reduce the amount of water that passes through for baths and showers without sacrificing the quality. With this device installed you’ll be saving water which is both good for the planet and your pocket book.

Again, this tip may require a bit of an investment but again will pay for itself. Many believe that washing dishes by hand rather than using a dishwasher is more energy efficient. This isn’t always the case. Washing by hand several times a day actually uses the same amount of energy that operating your dishwasher at a full load. Your dishwasher can be made more efficient. A dishwasher works best if it operates at 140 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a bit stressful for your water heater being that they function best at 120 degrees. However, if your purchase a booster, this will increase the temperature of your dishwasher without having to add additional stress to your water heater. You can buy dishwashers with this device already installed or by a separate unit. In either case, the money you save on heating water will pay for this extra quite quickly.

By employing these few energy saving tips, your house can become more fuel efficient. This will save you money and help conserve water.