Printed with a renewable-source ink on paper containing at least 50% wastepaper, including 10% postconsumer waste
DOE/GO-10095-063
FS 204
January 1995
ENERGY
EFFICIENCY
Energy-Efficient
AND
RENEWABLE Water Heating
ENERGY
CLEARINGHOUSE
The next time you pay your utility bill, try
one simple calculation. Divide the total
amount by seven. The result is the amount
you spend to heat your water. (If you
receive separate utility bills for gas and
electricity, use the gas bill for this calcula
tion if you have a gas water heater; use
the electric bill if you have an electric
water heater.)
Of course, you may think this cost is a
small price to pay for the convenience of
a hot shower. But during the course of a
year, this cost adds up. And when you
consider that 95 million households in this
country pay the same percentage, it is easy
to see how much money—and energy—is
used to heat water.
Several measures can help you decrease
water-heating costs in your home. Some
specific actions include reducing the
amount of hot water used, making your
water-heating system more energy
efficient, and using off-peak power to
heat water.
vc-cd14-a1242-01
Reducing the Amount of
Hot Water Used
Generally, four destination points in the
home are recognized as end uses for hot
water: faucets, showers, dishwashers, and
washing machines. Now, you do not have
to take cold showers, dine on dirty dishes,
or wear dirty clothes to reduce your hot
water consumption. Less radical measures
are available that will be virtually unno
ticeable once you apply them.
Faucets and Showers
Simply repairing leaks in faucets and
showers can save hot water. A leak of one
drip per second can cost $1 per month, yet
could be repaired in a few minutes for less
than that. And some apparently insignifi
cant steps, when practiced routinely at
your household, could have significant
results. For example, turning the hot-water
faucet off while shaving or brushing your
teeth, as opposed to letting the water run,
can also