 Hot Water: Less is More
Using hot water wisely and making a few simple and inexpensive improvements can add up to saving both money and energy.
Use Less Save More
The best opportunity to save energy is to simply use less. In most households the energy used to heat water can be reduced by 25-50 percent with a few water-saving steps. Most water heaters are set at 150 degrees F. For every ten degrees the water temperature is lowered, 3-5 percent of water heating costs will be saved. A water temperature of 120 degrees F will meet most household hot water needs.
Showering
The shower is typically the greatest consumer of hot water in a home. Determine whether your shower is a good candidate for a new showerhead with the help of a one gallon bucket and a watch with a second hand. First, turn on the shower to the pressure you normally use. Next, hold the bucket under the shower and time how long it takes the water to reach the one-gallon mark. If it takes less than 20 seconds, your flow rate is over 3 gallons per minute (gpm), and you should replace it with a water-saving showerhead. Conventional showerheads dispense four to five gpm, but installing a water saving showerhead will drop that number to two to three gpm, a big savings over time.
When buying a water-saving showerhead look for one that uses no more than 2.5 gpm at standard residential water pressure. The showerhead vary in cost but will pay for itself in as little as four months. Check with the local utility before purchasing a showerhead since many companies offer special prices or rebates on energy-saving products.
Faucet Aerators
A conventional faucet will deliver 2-4 gpm while faucet aerators can reduce that amount to .5 or 1 gpm. A higher flow rate may be needed in the kitchen if the sink is used for dish washing. Some aerators are sold with a shut-off valve, allowing it to temporarily turn off the water without changing the hot/cold water mix. A faucet aerator will cost just a few dollars and can easily pay for itself in a short period of time.
Pipe Protection
A great deal of energy and water is wasted waiting for the hot water to reach the tap. Pipe insulation is a low-cost insulating covering that wraps around hot water pipes to prevent heat loss as hot water travels from the water heater to the faucet. With the exception of the first few feet of cold water pipe at the top of the water heater, it's only necessary to wrap the hot water pipes.
There are three types of pipe insulation: closed-cell flexible foam tubes, rigid foam and fiberglass batts. It's important to note that foam insulation should not be used on steam pipes due to the high temperatures. According to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, foam or fiberglass pipe insulation can cost as little as $.30 per foot and save up to $.50 per year per foot in energy costs.
Water Heater Blankets
Water heaters are the second greatest energy consumer in homes after space heating and cooling, accounting for 15-25 percent of the average lowan's household energy budget. Water heater blankets prevent standby losses and reduce heat lost through the wall of the tank. The cost of a blanket is usually about $10 to $25. Several Iowa utility companies offer the blankets and will install them at no cost, although installation is easy.
A blanket with an insulation value of at least R-11 is recommended. If a super-insulated water heater is in the home, be sure to double-check the manufacturer's recommendations. In some cases, adding a blanket may void the warranty. With gas water heaters, take precautions not to block the air intake opening and to keep the insulation from touching the flue. This is essential for the heater to function properly and to avoid becoming a fire hazard.
More Information and Additional Sources
Some of this information was adapted from the American Council on an Energy Efficient Economy's publication, Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings, 7th Edition, the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network as well as Homemade Money by Richard Heede and staff of the Rocky Mountain Institute.
Additional information on home energy savings can be found in the Home Series: Water Heaters booklet available on the Iowa Energy Center’s Web site, www.energy.iastate.edu or by calling (515) 294-8819.
The Iowa Energy Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing Iowa's energy efficiency and the use of renewable fuels.
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