Wasting Money and Water Can Be a
Pain in the Drain

A glass of water in a restaurant may come for free, but water use in your home comes at a price.

Taking a few small steps to conserve water can help you save big.  The Department of Energy offers several recommendations:

Fix Leaks

The sound of dripping is annoying and expensive, with one drip per second typically costing $1 per month.  Repair leaks in fixtures and pipes.

Install Low-Flow Fixtures

Quality, low-flow fixtures can be quite inexpensive, while achieving water savings of 25%-60%.

Wash Dishes Efficiently

Hand-washing dishes does not necessarily save hot water.  An energy-efficient dishwasher when properly used and operating with full loads can consume less energy than washing dishes by hand several times a day.

When available, use shorter cycles to reduce hot water use.  Plus, save by not using heat-dry, rinse-hold and pre-rinse features.

Wash Clothes Efficiently

Use either cold or warm water, and always use cold water for rinsing.  In the case of aging appliances, an old washer can cost three times as much to operate as an energy-efficient one.

When selecting a new machine, look for one that allows you to adjust the water temperature and levels for different loads.  Keep in mind that front-loading machines use less water than top loaders.  Also, look for the Energy Star label to ensure that your new clothes washer is energy efficient.

Lower Water Heater Thermostat

Reduce water heating costs by lowering the thermostat setting on your water heater. Each 10°F reduction in water temperature saves between 3%-5% in energy costs. Reducing water temperature to 120°F also slows mineral buildup and corrosion in water heater and pipes.

Replace Water Heater

The average life span of a water heater is between 8 and 12 years. Energy use can be cut considerably by replacing with a newer, more efficient model.  Plus, you could also avoid the mess and inconvenience of an untimely breakdown.

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