Keep Your Energy Bill Out of Hot Water

Water heating can be expensive, but there are a number of ways to lower your costs. One way is to use less water. Repair leaky faucets immediately and use low-flow shower heads. Did you know that a family of four, each showering for only five minutes a day uses 700 gallons of water a week? You can cut that amount in half by using low-flow aerating showerheads.) Insulate your hot-water storage tank and pipes, and drain a quart of water from your water tank every three months to remove sediment that impedes heat transfer and lowers the efficiency of your heater (follow the manufacturer's instructions). Lower the thermostat on your water heater to 120 degrees; water heaters sometimes come from the factory with higher temperature settings than are necessary. When buying a new water heater, compare EnergyGuide labels to find an energy-efficient model.

Cut Loads of Energy While Doing the Laundry

It's easy to cut energy costs while doing laundry. About 80-85 percent of the energy used for washing clothes is used to heat the water. You can reduce this cost by by washing full loads, using cooler water and cold-water detergents. Switch the temperature setting from hot to warm and it will cut a load's energy use in half.

If you are in the market for a new washer, look for ENERGY STAR products and read EnergyGuide labels. You can reduce drying costs as well: clean the lint filter after every load to improve air circulation, and don't over-dry clothes. Use the cool-down cycle to allow clothes to finish drying with residual heat. Also, periodically inspect your dryer vent to ensure it's not blocked. Check out the Department of Energy’s website (move your mouse over Laundry link and click ctrl + click mouse) Laundry for more laundry tips that will save energy and money.