Most people’s budgets are tightening: costs are rising and unfortunately most people’s salary is not increasing at the same rate. The consequence of this is that many people are finding rising home costs intimidating and are often looking for creative ways to save money. We’ve got you covered, at least in terms of hot water use. Here are some tips that will help you reduce your monthly hot water bill, whether you’re using gas or traditional water heating. Use the following tips to reduce your consumption, effect on the environment and also how much cash you’re spending month to month on your hot water use.
1) Lower Your Heater Settings
Often water heaters are set on high, this results in higher hot water consumption and higher hot water bills. Simply adjusting the hot water settings can dramatically reduce how much hot water you’re using. Furthermore, you’ll be using less water overall as you’ll need even less cold water to balance out the hot water. This simple step is great for the environment, your bank balance and especially important if you have little children around the home.
2) Install a Water Pump
Many showers are low pressure, meaning that the water is pumped through slowly, which results in it cooling before it reaches you in the shower. Furthermore, because the shower is a lower pressure people often find themselves turning the water heater up higher to compensate for the slow flow. Increasing the water pressure can not only result in a more comfortable shower, but can also influence how much hot water you consume. You can prevent this water pressure problems by checking and maintaining your water pumps regularly.
3) Check for Leaks
Hot water leaks are bad for the environment in terms of wasted water, but also bad for your electricity bill in terms of wasted energy. Finding a leak can be a challenge, but there’s an easy test you can do to see if one exists on your property. Monitor the latest water reading, and then do not use any water at all for 2 hours; no dishwasher, no laundry, no toilet flushing. Check out much the water meter reading has changed: if it has, then you’ve got a leak somewhere. Isolating leaks can make a huge difference to your water bills and the environment, so hunt around.
4) Insulate Your Pipes
Depending on where you live, this will vary in importance. If you live somewhere with harsh winters, than this is even more important. Insulating your pipes ensures the water stays warmer longer, meaning you can once again reduce your heater settings. Wasted energy is wasted money, so prevent heat loss and you’ll notice the differences adding up.
These small changes can make a big difference to your bank balance and also the comfort of your home. Implement a few of them and notice the differences to your water bills almost immediately!
