Did you know that one drip per second from a leaky faucet wastes over 1,600 gallons of water, putting an extra $35 onto your water bill every year?
Your water bill accounts for around 18 percent of the total utility bill, making it the second largest energy expense for most homeowners after heating and cooling. The various appliances and faucets around your home use a lot of hot water on a daily basis — probably more than you think. Just think, every time you do a load of laundry the washer is using 25 gallons of water each time, and an average 10-15 minute shower will use upwards of 15 gallons.
Fortunately, there are many ways that you can reduce your hot water usage. Whether you are looking to make some zero-cost habit changes or finally get rid of your old water heater and invest in a brand new one, Hutchinson, South Jersey’s number one HVAC service company, has water-saving ideas for everyone.
Reduce Shower Time
It costs zero dollars for you and your family to change your showering habits. It can be especially difficult when the winter months roll around to leave your nice and steamy shower, but by simply reducing your shower time a mere 10 minutes will yield significant savings.
We also suggest eliminating baths entirely or reducing the amount of water you use during bath time for young children.
Use Cold Water for Laundry
Consider switching your washer’s water temperature from hot to cold. Cold water washing is a highly effective way to treat clothing and is safer to use than hot water. Homeowners who make this simple switch from hot to cold can help remove up to 350 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per year (about $40 in savings).
Install Low-Flow Faucets and Showerheads
One of the most common wastes of water comes from the plumbing fixtures themselves. Outdated faucets and shower heads can flow at rates of up to 2.5 gallons per minute, which can be significantly reduced using low-flow fixtures.https://youtu.be/kMj-pkdrm2s
Upgrade to Energy Efficient Appliances
If any of your home’s appliances are approaching the 10-15 year mark, why not upgrade to more energy efficient models? An ENERGY STAR® qualified dishwasher uses 31% less energy and 33% less water than a non-efficient model. Upgrading a clothes washer to a more energy efficient model, according to ENERGY STAR®, can help save the homeowner over $135 a year in water savings.
While these are just a few ways to get you started on reducing your hot water consumption, Hutchinson, one of the best HVAC service companies serving New Jersey, can help you save even more. Give us a call at 866-953-8728 for more tips and money-saving tricks today!