While it’s common knowledge that your furnace and air conditioning suck up a ton of energy, many people aren’t aware that water heaters are a massive contributor to high energy bills. When you factor in the long, frigid Calgary winters, it’s no surprise that people want to enjoy warm showers to stay comfortable. However, if you’ve seen a spike in your energy bills, you may want to cut back on your water heater use.
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Apart from showering, many use hot water to do the laundry and dishes. Some even use it for cleaning to get things sparkling and shiny. Luckily, there are ways to cut back on your hot water usage and save more money. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

– Moderate the Temperature

Your water heater tank probably came straight from the factory, and as a result, is programmed to heat water at a much higher temperature than necessary. On the other hand, you can’t put it too low, as it’s highly recommended to keep your hot water tank at 60ºC to kill bacteria like Legionella. Fortunately, you can moderate the hot temperature you use and cut back on energy bills by installing anti-scald valves. It will protect you and your family from accidentally getting scalds and burns when using water that’s too hot.

It’s also a good idea to use lukewarm water instead when washing the dishes instead of just hot water. You can try washing your hands at lower temperatures, but don’t forget to use soap!

– Take Shorter Showers

Long, warm showers are extraordinarily comfortable, especially during freezing temperatures. However, it’s also the culprit behind sky-high energy bills, since a family of four uses almost 500 litres of hot water each week only by showering for just five minutes a day.

If you’re keen on reducing your energy bills, opt for shorter showers with cooler temperatures. Dialling it down by a degree or two will do wonders for your energy usage. You can also opt to install low-flow fixtures.
 
– Repair Any Leaks Immediately

When any of your water fixtures start leaking, you’ll need to call an emergency plumber right away. If left to drip, they can add up and make your energy bills an excessive amount. Hot water leaks are even more costly, and they can even wreak havoc on your home when untreated.

Be sure to check your plumbing fixtures regularly to avoid any issues. If you fail to catch anything in time and you’ve got a plumbing emergency in Calgary, our specialists can swoop in to save the day—no matter what the hour!

– Don’t Leave the Faucet or Shower Running

Many people make the mistake of thinking that it’s harmless to leave the faucet or shower on when doing activities like washing your hands, prepping the shower, or brushing your teeth. However, every unused drop of water that falls down the drain takes every hard-earned Canadian dollar with it. That hot water won’t show up on just your water bill, but your energy bill, too; you’ll have to pay for the water you didn’t use
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Luckily, this is an easy fix. Make a conscious effort to shut the faucet off whenever you aren’t using it, and remind your household to follow suit as well. Water is precious, and you’ll want to conserve it as much as possible!

– Run Your Dishwasher Only When It’s Full

Another quick tip to save money by using less hot water is to run your dishwasher only when it’s entirely full. If you run it at any less capacity, you’ll only be wasting hot water. You can also opt to buy newer dishwashers that are outfitted with energy-saving options, along with more control over water usage.

Conclusion

Saving water is incredibly important for not only reducing your bills but your water usage and impact on the environment. These five tips offer quick and easy ways to reduce your hot water usage while boosting your savings, helping you cut back on household costs when necessary. You’ll enjoy lower energy bills before you know it!
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24 Hour Plumbing and Heating can solve all your plumbing, heating, and air conditioning problems for you. Whether you have a plumbing emergency in Calgary and need an emergency plumber to swoop in, we’ve got you covered. Contact us today to find out how we can help you!