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Hot
water heaters
The tips on heating and cooling will help you manage
your home's temperature -- and energy costs -- all year
round.
About
20% of the energy used by the average home is used to
heat water for showers, baths, washing machines, and dishwashers.
Saving money on your hot water heater doesn't mean taking
cold showers. Some hot water heaters are more energy-efficient
than others. And no matter what model you own, the simple
steps below will reduce your household hot water consumption
without significantly affecting your lifestyle.
Keep
the tank clean.
If
you don't have a water softener, periodically drain
off the sediment in the bottom of the tank. Sediment
buildup can insulate the water from the heating element.
Open the drain valve or faucet at the base of the water
tank and drain a gallon or two of water into a container
until it runs clean.
Lower
the temperature.
Try
setting the thermostat on your water heater to "low"
or 120°F. Water at this temperature should be hot
enough to meet most household needs. If not, raise the
water heater temperature a few degrees at a time until
you are satisfied. For every 10°F you lower your
water heater's temperature, you save up to 11% of your
water heating costs. A lower temperature can also increase
the life of your water tank.
NOTE:
If you use a dishwasher, a temperature setting of 140°F
is generally recommended. However, if your dishwasher
has a built-in water-heating unit or uses an instantaneous
water heater, your water heater temperature can be set
to "low" or 120°F. These models heat the
water temperature to 140°F as it enters the dishwasher.
Give
your water heater a vacation too.
When
you leave your home for a weekend or longer, turn your
electric water heater off (check your owner's manual
for the manufacturer's instructions), or turn your gas
water heater to the "pilot" setting. Electric
water heaters are most easily shut off using the circuit
breaker panel. Turning off a water heater for a shorter
less than 48 hours is not recommended.
Copyright©2000
Southern California Edison. All Rights Reserved.
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Heating
