How to Reduce Your Water Heater's Energy Use

Article From HouseLogic.com

By: Joe Bousquin
Published: June 20, 2013

Easy and cheap ways to make your water heater more energy efficient.

In the saving energy fight, the hot water heater is a born loser. That's because most of us have a conventional storage-type water heater.

That water storage tank works constantly to keep water hot and ready whenever you want it. But as the water sits, it naturally cools down, a process known as "standby heat loss." When the water cools, the burner or heating element kicks on to warm it up again, in a constantly repeating cycle.

Water heating is the second largest energy hog in your home, accounting for 14% to 18% of your household's total energy costs - between $400 and $600 per year. (Heating and cooling (http://www.houselogic.com/maintenance-repair/preventative-home-maintenance/heating-cooling/) is the #1 energy hog.)

Here are 5 tips to trim your water heating costs:

#1 Turn Down the Tank's Thermostat

For every 10 degrees you turn it down, you'll save 3% to 5% on your bill. Most water heaters come preset at 140 degrees, which has the added risk of scalding. The Energy Department recommends most households lower it to 120 degrees. That's high enough for your needs, and high enough to reduce mineral buildup in your tank and pipes.

Here's how to ensure you get 120 degrees:

          •First measure to see what temperature your water is at now. Don't trust the thermostat. They are often inaccurate. Instead, use a thermometer to measure the temperature of the hot water at the faucet farthest away from the heater.

          •To remember this setting, mark that temperature on your thermostat.

          •Now turn down the thermostat to what you think will be 120 degrees, based on your earlier measurement.

          •Wait at least 2 hours. Measure the water temperature again at the same far-away faucet. It may take a few attempts to get it right.

          •Once it's right, mark that spot on your thermostat so you'll remember it.

If the thermostat on your water heater doesn't have a numbered gauge, put it midway between the "low" and "medium" marks. Wait a day, and then measure the tap temperature as described above. Keep adjusting until you hit your target temperature.

Keep in mind that some water heaters have two thermostats - one for the bottom heating element and one for the top.

Related: 4 more effective ways to take back your energy bills

 #2: Use Less Hot Water

 One sure way to cut hot water costs is to use less of it. (http://www.houselogic.com/green-living/saving-water/)

 A family of four showering five minutes a day uses 700 gallons of water each week - a three-year supply of drinking water for one person!

Simply by installing low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators ($10 to $20 each), you'll cut your hot water consumption by 25% to 60%. Plus, you'll save on your water bill. That family of four using low-flow fixtures can save 14,000 gallons of water a year.

Also, make sure you use the "economy" setting on your dishwasher (http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/appliances/dishwasher-buying-guide/), and break the pre-washing habit. Modern dishwashers can handle a dirty dish. Scrape what's left of dinner into the trash or compost bin and then load.

Related: Low-Flow Isn't What It Used to Be (http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/plumbing/ultra-low-flow-shower-heads-more-less/)

 #3: Drain the Sediment

Tanks naturally build up sediment, which reduces efficiency and makes saving energy a challenge. ?Draining the tank will keep it running efficiently. And it's really easy to do:

          •Turn off the water and power to the unit. On a gas unit, set the burner to "pilot."

          •Connect a garden hose to the spigot at the base of the tank.

          •With the other end of the hose pointed at your floor drain, carefully lift the tank's pressure-relief valve and turn on the tank's spigot; water should begin to flow.

Tip: While most manufacturers recommend draining the tank once or twice a year, you don't have to drain it completely; in fact, the Department of Energy recommends draining less water more often - just a quart every three months.

Related: How to Care for Your Water Heater (http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/water-heaters/water-heater-maintenance/)

 #4: Insulate Exposed Hot-Water Pipes

By insulating your hot water pipes, water will arrive at the faucet 2 to 4 degrees warmer, which means you won't have to wait as long for it to heat up, thus saving energy, water, and money.

While this isn't an expensive DIY job - 6-ft.-long, self-sealing sleeves ($2.50) easily slip over pipes - it could take effort, depending on where your hot water pipes are located. Exposed pipes in the basement are easy targets: Hard-to-reach pipes in crawl spaces or walls might not be worth the trouble.

#5 Insulate Your Hot Water Tank

If you have an older tank, and especially if it's located in an unheated space, wrapping it with an insulating blanket is a cheap and easy way to reduce costs.

Manufacturers have figured this out, so most newer models already are insulated. It's easy to find out which one you have. Look on its label to see if it has an R-value of at least 24. If not, you should insulate your tank.
With these older models, an insulating blanket can cut heat loss by 25% to 45% and save 4% to 9% on the average water-heating bill (source: American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (http://aceee.org/consumer/water-heating#minimize) ).

Insulating blankets are easy to install and inexpensive ($20). When dressing your tank for saving energy, be careful not to block the thermostat on an electric water heater or the air inlet and exhaust on a gas unit.

If you have a newer model that's already insulated, don't make the mistake of thinking you can get additional savings by adding a layer of insulation. It can block critical components and become hazardous. Check with your manufacturer.

Related:

          •When to Replace Your Water Heater (http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/water-heaters/water-heaters-repair-or-replace/)

          •Water Heater Buying Guide (http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/water-heaters/hot-water-heater-buyers-guide/)

          •The Good and the Bad About Tankless Water Heaters (http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/water-heaters/tankless-water-heater-right-you/)

How to Keep Your House Cool Without AC

Article From HouseLogic.com

By: Lisa Kaplan Gordon
Published: March 20, 2013

Want summer comfort but hate the AC? Follow these tips, and you'll keep your house cool without frosty air conditioning.

You don't have to switch on the air conditioner to get a big chill this summer. These tips will help you keep your house cool without AC, which will save energy (http://www.houselogic.com/green-living/saving-energy/) (and avoid AC wars (http://www.houselogic.com/blog/heating-cooling/air-conditioning-temperature/) with your family).

Block that Sun!

When sunlight enters your house, it turns into heat. You'll keep your house cooler if you reduce solar heat gain by keeping sunlight out.

          •Close the drapes: Line them with light-colored fabric that reflects the sun, and close them during the hottest part of the day. Let them pillow onto the floor to block air movement.

          •Add awnings: Install them on south- and west-facing windows to reduce solar heat gain by up to 77%, says the U.S. Department of Energy. Make your own by tacking up sheets outside your windows and draping the ends over a railing or lawn chair.

          •Install shutters: Interior and exterior shutters not only reduce heat gain and loss, but they also add security and protect against bad weather. Interior shutters with adjustable slats let you control how much sun you let in.

          •Apply high-reflectivity window film: Install energy-saving window films (http://www.houselogic.com/blog/windows-doors/window-film-energy-savings/) on east- and west-facing windows, which will keep you cool in summer, but let in warming sun in the winter. Mirror-like films are more effective than colored transparent films.

Here's more information about energy-efficient window coverings (http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/windows-doors/save-money-energy-efficient-window-coverings/).

Open Those Windows

Be sure to open windows when the outside temperature is lower than the inside. Cool air helps lower the temps of everything - walls, floors, furniture - items that will absorb heat as temps rise, helping inside air say cooler longer.

To create cross-ventilation, open windows on opposite sides of the house. Good ventilation helps reduce VOCs (http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/air-quality/how-to-reduce-voc-exposure/) and prevents mold (http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/air-quality/how-to-prevent-mold-damage/).

Fire Up Fans

          •Portable fans: At night, place fans in open windows to move cool air. In the day, put fans where you feel their cooling breezes (moving air evaporates perspiration and lowers your body temperature). To get extra cool, place glasses or bowls of ice water in front of fans, which will chill the moving air.

          •Ceiling fans: For maximum cooling effect, make sure ceiling fans (http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/heating-cooling/installing-ceiling-fans-at-home/) spin in the direction that pushes air down, rather than sucks it up. Be sure to turn off fans when you're not in the room, because fan motors give off heat, too.

          •Whole house fans: A whole-house fan (http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/heating-cooling/whole-house-fans-maximum-cool-minimum-cost/) ($1,150-$1,500, including install) exhausts hot inside air out through roof vents. Make sure your windows are open when you run a whole-house fan.

Power Down Appliances

You'll save money and reduce heat output by turning off appliances (http://www.houselogic.com/maintenance-repair/preventative-home-maintenance/appliances/) you're not using, particularly your computer and television. Powering down multiple appliances is easier if you connect them to the same power strip.

Don't use heat- and steam-generating appliances - ranges, ovens, washers, dryers -- during the hottest part of the day. In fact, take advantage of the heat by drying clothes outside on a line.

Plant Trees and Vines

These green house-coolers shade (http://www.houselogic.com/blog/patios/quick-ways-make-some-shade-dont-forget-trees-are-best/) your home's exterior and keep sunlight out of windows. Plant them by south- and west-facing walls, where the sun is strongest.

Deciduous trees, which leaf out in spring and drop leaves in fall, are best because they provide shade in summer, then let in sun when temperatures drop in autumn. Select trees that are native to your area, which have a better chance of surviving. When planting, determine the height, canopy width, and root spread of the mature tree and plant accordingly.

Climbing vines, such as ivy or Virginia creeper, also are good outside insulators. To prevent vine rootlets or tendrils from compromising your siding, grow them on trellises or wires about 6 in. away from the house.

Speaking of shade, here are smart, inexpensive ideas for shading your patio (http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/patios/patio-shade-ideas-under-300/).

Want more tips for staying cool this summer? Substitute CFL and LED bulbs (http://www.houselogic.com/news/lighting/leds-outshine-cfls-consumer-reports-latest-lightbulb-tests/) for hotter incandescent lights.

Also, try insulating your garage door (http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/insulation/how-to-insulate-a-garage-door/) to prevent heat buildup.

Three Ways to Give Energy Savings the Green Light in Your Home

ARA) – “Red means stop, green means go” – we learn that axiom as children. When it comes to home energy costs, however, going green can help homeowners put a stop to runaway utility bills. And maximizing your home’s use of natural light – call it “green lighting” – is a great way to boost your home’s energy efficiency.
Here are three ways you can put Mother Nature to work, and use natural light to lower your energy costs:

Minimize use of artificial lighting
Anyone who’s ever paid an electrical bill knows that the simple act of turning on a light can directly impact your monthly expenses. Homeowners looking for a long-term way to power down their lighting costs may consider Energy Star-qualified skylights a good investment. While skylights' cosmetic appeal can’t be argued, their value goes far beyond good looks.

By admitting natural light into your home, skylights can help reduce use of artificial light sources – and help you save on electricity costs. Pair powered venting skylights that come with automatic rain sensors with efficiency-enhancing accessories like designer blinds (available in a varied palette of colors and patterns), and you can improve energy efficiency as much as 37 percent, according to skylight manufacturer Velux America. And, with tubular products like Sun Tunnel skylights, you can even bring natural light into ground-floor rooms or spots where a traditional skylight may not work, such as a first-floor powder room, hallways, or walk-in closets.

Reduce hot water costs
Long gone are the days when solar powering your home was an idealistic, but impractical dream. Solar technology is more useful, accessible and cost-effective than ever. Solar water heating systems are becoming mainstream, and offer homeowners a great, green way to trim energy costs. What’s more, the cost of installing these systems has been steadily declining as the technology advances, and you may find adding one makes you eligible for tax credits or incentives from your local, state or the federal governments. You can calculate the costs and possible paybacks online at www.veluxusa.com.

Make home a healthier place
Every year, ill health costs the U.S. economy billions of dollars, experts say, and your own health woes can have a significant impact on your pocketbook. The health benefits of natural light are well-documented, from reducing the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and promoting the body’s production of Vitamin D, to improving mood and even learning ability.
Simply opening blinds and curtains to admit more natural light can directly affect the mood inside your home – not to mention the mental state of the people living in it. Take your green lighting efforts to a higher level by adding venting skylights, and you can also help improve the air quality inside your home. While skylights admit ample natural light, their natural chimney effect works with your windows to bring in and circulate much more healthful fresh air. They also passively vent fumes and dampness that can lead to mold and mildew.
By incorporating natural light and passive ventilation into their home decor and improvements, homeowners can put the brakes on rising utility costs – and give the green light to energy savings.

Cash for Caulking

Obama Proposes Cash for Caulking

A program has been proposed by President Obama on Tuesday that would reimburse home owners for installing windows, energy-efficient appliances, and insulation.

Under what has been dubbed “Cash for Caulking”, home owners would get a 50 percent rebate on energy-efficient air conditioners, heating systems, washing machines and dryers, refrigerators, replacement windows, insulation and other energy-saving improvements up to $12,000. This equates to a household that spends $24,000 could get $12,000 back.Most likely there would be no income restrictions.

The director at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Steve Nadel, who is helping to create the legislation, says they are considering having contractors and/or retailers pay part of the cost upfront to reduce the need for home owners to come up with lots of cash.