energy efficient water heating << page 1     washing machines Much of the cost (up to 90%) of operating washing machines is associated w/ the energy needed to heat the water. Washing machines do not require a minimum temperature for optimum cleaning. Either cold or warm water can be used for washing most laundry loads; cold water is always sufficient for rinsing. Make sure you follow the cold water washing instructions for your particular laundry detergent. Washing only full loads is another good rule of thumb for reducing hot water consumption in clothes washers. Consult the Energy Guide & Energy Star® labels when shopping for a new washing machine. Inefficient washing machines can cost three times as much to operate as efficient machines. Select a machine that allows you to adjust the water temperature & water levels for the size of the load. Also, front-loading machines use less water & consequently, less energy than top loaders. Keep in mind that the capacity of front loaders may be smaller than that of most top-loading machines. Smaller capacity washing machines often have better Energy Guide & Energy Star® ratings. However, a reduced capacity might cause you to increase the number of loads you wash & possibly increase your energy costs. Faucets, showerheads, dishwashers & washing machines are only destination points for hot water in your home. The journey of your hot water before it reaches these outlets has many opportunities for energy losses. Fortunately, you can reduce the incidence of water heat loss from the point of departure to the point of arrival by applying a few basic measures.   increasing water heating system efficiency Reducing hot water usage is primarily a matter of common sense & exerting a little extra effort to not be wasteful. Once you have applied a few simple, low-cost measures for reducing hot water consumption, you may want to consider water heating system improvements if you wish to further reduce your energy bill.   lower your water heater thermostat One simple step for reducing water heating energy costs is lowering the thermostat setting on your water heater. 125ºF is satisfactory for most household needs. When heated to 140ºF, water can pose a safety hazard such as scalding. For each 10ºF reduction in water temperature, water heating energy consumption can be reduced three to five percent. If your dishwasher does not have a booster heater, lowering the water heating temperature is not recommended. Also, many dishwasher detergents are formulated to clean effectively at 140ºF & may not perform adequately at lower temperatures.   install a timer & heat traps Another possibility for electric water heaters is installing a timer that can automatically turn the heater off at night & on in the morning. At a $30 selling price & a do-it-yourself installation, a simple timer may pay for itself in energy saved in about one year. More expensive, multi-setting timers are also available. Timers for gas water heaters are not as useful or cost effective as those designed for electric water heaters. This is because the pilot light supplies some heat during the night, offsetting some of the energy savings achieved by using the timer. If heat traps were not initially installed w/ your water heater, adding them is another way of reducing water heating energy loss. Heat traps, or one-way valves, allow water to flow into the tank & prevent unwanted hot water flow out of the tank. Heat traps cost about $30, but they may require professional installation, which could be expensive. However, if installed at the same time as a new water heater, heat traps are much more cost effective. Most new water heater models have factory-installed traps, saving you the time & expense of installing one yourself.   insulate hot water pipes & the storage tank When you turn on a hot water faucet during cold weather, it may take several seconds for the water to become hot. This happens because the water travels through pipes from the water heater to the faucet & some of the pipes may pass through unheated sections of the house, such as the basement. As a result, the hot water loses some of its heat to the surrounding space. This heat loss can be reduced by insulating hot water pipes wherever they are accessible, especially in unheated areas. Use a quality pipe insulation wrap, or neatly tape strips of fiberglass insulation around the pipes. Eventually the water will cool, but it will remain warmer much longer inside insulated pipes. Insulating your water heater storage tank is a fairly simple & inexpensive improvement that can help maintain the water temperature at the thermostat setting. Some newer models of water heaters are well insulated & do not need an added layer, but a heater that is warm to the touch needs additional insulation. Easy-to-install, precut blankets (or jackets) for electric water heaters are widely available & range in cost from $10 to $20. Your local utility company may offer them at a lower price, give you a rebate, or even install them at no cost. When properly installed, a water heater blanket on an electric water heater will pay for itself in energy saved w/in one year. Installation is more difficult on gas-fired heaters. Ask your local furnace installer for instructions. If your water heater is at least seven years old, you should carefully evaluate your water heating needs & investigate the types of heaters that could replace your current one. Although most water heaters last ten to fifteen years, early investigation & timely replacement can ensure a wise purchase.   simple actions, big results Some ways to save on water heating bills require greater financial investments than others. You may wish to consider the free or low-cost options before making large purchases. Also allow for circumstances that may be unique to your household when deciding on the appropriate options. For example, a small-capacity washing machine could meet the needs of a one-person household. Although it is not feasible to eliminate water heating in your home, it is possible to substantially reduce water heating costs w/out sacrificing comfort & convenience. The tips in this publication can help decrease your costs for heating water.