Turn down your hot water heater
Why This is Green
Hot water is essential to modern life, but is yours too hot for the earth to handle? It might be. Many water heaters are set for 140˚F or even higher. Yet for most households, 120˚F is more than adequate. When you consider that the tank systems commonly found in American homes maintain their set temperature 24/7 whether we’re using hot water or not (and usually we aren’t!), this makes the specific temperature we choose a burning issue.
As the second largest energy expense in the typical home, hot water typically accounts for about 18 percent of your overall utility bill. For every 10˚F reduction in its temperature, you’ll shave five percent off both your water heating costs and your water heater’s carbon footprint. So turn it down!
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How To
If you have an electric hot water heater, cut the electricity to the unit at the electrical panel.
For non-electric heaters, open the thermostat access panel (some models have two…), and check your setting. Adjust the indicators to 120˚F (or midway between low and medium) if needed. These dials can be inaccurate, so verify the temperature with a thermometer at your tap. Live with the new setting for a few days and readjust as needed.
To further your energy savings, wrap your tank in an insulating jacket (look for one with an R-8 insulating value or use two R-5 jackets).
And don’t forget to turn off your water heater when you go on vacation!
