Trying to cut back on expenses? Think about making tweaks to your water heater.
One of the pleasures in life is taking a long leisurely bath or shower set at just the right temperature particularly on a cold day or after an active day at the Blueberry Festival or some other event.
But getting your water to that “just right” temperature has its drawbacks – such as the cost of heating that much water.
“Hot water heating can account for 14-18% of an average utility bill, the Department of Energy says, notes cnet.com. “If you’re looking to save money, considering your hot water heater (and hot water consumption) is a good place to start.”
The perfect place to start is the hot water setting on your water heater. Many water heaters come pre-set to produce hot water at 140F degrees but that not only costs a lot to heat, it’s a setting that can produce burns, a hazard for young children and elderly adults.
Setting your water heater at 120F degrees “can an lead to energy savings of 4% to 22%, and up to $400, according to the Department of Energy. Even with the lower setting, you shouldn’t have trouble getting your shower or dishwater hot enough,” cnet.com points out. But that setting has a couple of potential drawbacks: “Some dishwashers need water between 130 and 140 degrees to operate optimally. So watch your dishwasher’s performance after you shift the temperature. If your dishes aren’t getting as clean, you may need to adjust it back.
“There’s also a small risk of water at 120 degrees growing legionella bacteria, which causes Legionaire’s Disease. The Department of Energy calls it a small risk, but if you or someone you live with has a weaker immune system, you might want to raise the temperature a few degrees.”
If you’re interested in saving on the cost of heating your water, cnet.com notes you can insulate the pipes around the water heater and install low flow faucets to limit the amount of hot water coming into the system.
If you’re not sure how to do any of these things, or if your water heater needs service or has sprung a leak, you can get help from the 24-hour Tampa Bay plumbing specialists at Billy the Sunshine Plumber.
Billy the Sunshine Plumber has been the Tampa Bay 24-hour plumber of choice since 1924 when he first opened for business. Billy the Sunshine Plumber is open 24/7/365 in Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties. Days, nights, weekends, or holidays.
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