Monday, October 18, 2010

October Energy Saving Tip #3: Hot Water (Part 2)


Because saving hot water is one of the easiest ways to save energy in your home, here are a few more tips for cutting back!

Wash Your Clothes in Cold

Most modern laundry detergents are made to work equally well in warm or cold water, so why not save yourself some money and set your washer to the cold/cold setting? You won’t notice any difference except on your energy bills, which could be as much as $70 lower per year. Save the warm wash for oily or extra stubborn stains and wash the rest in cold.

Take Shorter Showers

Showering can use more hot water than all other residential hot water uses combined and presents a major opportunity for savings. The average 10 minute shower can cost you between $0.60 to $1.50 depending on the heat of your water and the flow rate of your showerhead. That means that by only taking 5 minute showers you can save at least $80 per year.

Look for the ENERGY STAR Label

When you set out to buy a new water heater tank, dishwasher, or washing machine, be sure to pick a unit with the ENERGY STAR label showing that it is an efficient model. ENERGY STAR certified appliances perform just as well as their counterparts, and although they sometimes (though not always) cost a little more up front, over the lifetime of the unit they can save you big time on energy costs. This makes them not only the most sustainable choice, but the most cost effective as well.

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