Water heaters are known for high-energy consumption and their notable influence in your annual financial expenses. In essence, they are nothing short of an energy waster and an enemy to the environment.
More often than not, your water heater is on constant standby, heating and reheating the water in the tank to be used at your leisure, yet when the water sits idly it naturally starts to cool off, in a process called standby heat loss.
The water heater then has to consume energy to reheat the water in a vicious cycle of energy expenditure and inefficiency.
Here are 5 smart, no-nonsense ways to minimize your energy and water consumption, decrease your expenses and preserve the environment.
One of the more obvious long-term solutions for water management is consuming less hot water. Water consumption, in general, is at an all-time high across the world, contributing to the alarming rate at which natural drinking water is disappearing. If every household were to introduce several cheap water saving solutions into their daily lives, the rate of global water consumption would decrease dramatically.
If every household were to introduce several cheap water saving solutions into their daily lives, the rate of global water consumption would decrease dramatically.
You can aid in the battle against the global water crisis by installing low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators, in turn decreasing your water expenditure as much as 25% to 60% on an annual level.
This solution will not only instill some positive habits into your lifestyle, but it will also cut down on your water bill significantly and aid in the preservation of the Earth.
Finally, the water heater is not the only common household appliance that wastes water – kitchen amenities are the culprits as well. Simply turning the dishwasher to an economy setting, and skipping the prewash process can significantly cut down on water waste. Employing these solutions can result in saving of up to 53000 litres of water a year.
Contrary to popular belief, the water heater’s thermostat does not have to operate on the highest setting. In fact, cranking up the thermostat will result in a shorter heater lifespan and will greatly contribute to the fast accumulation of sediment in your water tank.
Typically, your water is heated up to 60° Celsius, which is unnecessarily hot. Simply turning it down to 45°C you can significantly decrease your energy consumption, prolong the heater’s lifespan and avoid mineral build-up in the tank.
Insulation plays a key role in any household, preventing accumulated heat from escaping and the walls from cooling down, but insulation is also crucial in preserving the temperature of the water, allowing you to decrease your energy expenditure.
If you insulate your hot water pipes, the water arriving in the faucet will be 2 to 5 degrees warmer, which is more than a notable difference on the skin, and it will allow you to not only save energy and water for environmental purposes, but it will also allow for rewarding financial savings as well.
Water tanks accumulate sediment over time, yet few people recognize the importance of annual sediment draining until the buildup becomes too great, and the heater breaks down, requiring costly repairs, or a completely new tank depending on the severity of its condition.
For this reason, it is very important to adhere to regular water heater maintenance, checking its performance and draining the sediment to ensure it remains in mint operating condition.
Given the intricate nature of the draining process, and the fact that you are working with water and electricity, it’s best to leave the task in the hands of professionals, as the guys behind Dial up Plumbing, who can replace any worn out parts and swiftly perform any repairs, including sediment draining, ensuring the longevity of your water heater.
Finally, water tank insulation is always a good solution for heat preservation and thus, less energy consumption.
Newer heater models already come with built-in insulation, and it is the older models that will benefit greatly from being wrapped up in an insulating blanket – an inexpensive way to decrease expenses and help in the preservation of the environment.
Water preservation is of the utmost importance in the modern world facing many natural adversities.
You can contribute to the fight against global warming and the deterioration of the ecosystem by implementing these simple solutions, ensuring a happy future for your children and making substantial financial savings in the process.