Water Heating – How to Use It More Efficiently

Water heating systems are definitely not the newest piece of technology. They have been in use for quite a few decades now. But they are constantly experiencing changes and advancements regarding their functionality and efficiency. An average water heater uses a lot of energy to heat the water, thus significantly inflating a utility bill. However, nowadays, there are a lot of ways one can make heating the water much more green, energy-efficient, and budget-friendly.

Also, by introducing alternate, affordable solutions in areas that are considered to be the biggest energy wasters – such as the kitchen and the bathroom – you can significantly reduce your home’s carbon footprint. In this day and age, it is almost imperative. Therefore, check out these tips on how you can make better use of your water heating. Determine the ones that will work best for you and your household.

Water Heating – How to Use It More Efficiently

Whenever possible, opt for a short shower

Taking long, warm baths is almost cathartic, and long showers are almost no different. But the fact is that such a behavior is very wasteful. Let’s say that an average shower that lasts around 10 minutes runs two gallons of water per minute. Now, if you do the math, you’ll see just how much water you’ll save if you cut the shower time in half. Of course, the reduction of your utility bill will depend on the country you’re from. Trust us, though, it will be significant.

Remember that nobody promised you savings without some sacrifice. However, considering the payoff, the sacrifice is truly not that great. On the other hand, we’re not saying you should say goodbye to baths forever. We’re just saying that, instead of having a bath every other night, you should treat yourself to a bathtub full of bubble bath once a week. Besides, if you have small children, you probably don’t have the time to take long showers as is.

Make sure everything is in peak condition

Water heaters usually contain a so-called thermostat that regulates the water temperature. So, basically, every time you turn your water heater on, the heater itself activates and heats up the water to the desired temperature. Once the water reaches that temperature, the thermostat sends a signal to the heater to automatically turn off.

However, if the thermostat is broken or if it’s not functioning properly, it will only continue to heat up the water. This can cause multiple problems, burns being one of them. That’s why you should always have a reliable repair professional on speed dial. For instance, these Sydney-based experts for hot water systems offer 24-hour emergency services. These include both electric and plumbing works because hot water systems usually require the attention of both of these experts.

Give your heater a break

A lot of people fail to realize that if you keep your water heater on the highest temperature at all times, you are actively shortening its lifespan. Besides, as already mentioned, if you set your water heater to maximum temperature, which is about 60° Celsius, you are risking severe burns. The pleasant water temperature is around 40° Celsius. Therefore, there’s really no need to push your water heater to its limits. A lower water temperature is both safer and more pleasant.

Interestingly enough, the Consumer Product Safety Commission recommended that the hot water system manufacturers put a break on 50° Celsius back in 1988. However, a later study showed that not all the manufacturers followed.

Other considerations

Finally, let’s discuss some other considerations. First off, when installing a water heating system, the experts in Heating Services suggest always go with the most efficient options. And, that’s the one with the Energy Star Label. These newer models are made with energy efficiency in mind which make them an excellent choice. Next, install low flow shower heads and taps to avoid wasting too much water. These taps and shower heads mix the air with the water. This keeps the water pressure at satisfactory levels while reducing water consumption.

Of course, above all else, you should make sure that there are no broken pipes or water leaks anywhere. Not only can these make a huge mess and severely damage your property, but they also literally waste significant amounts of water. Therefore, inspect your pipes and taps before you get down to any other work.

As you can see, with some upgrades and just a bit of care, you can have hot water at all times without putting a huge strain on either your budget or the environment. Therefore, rethink your current hot water solution. Try to identify if there’s any room for upgrade. And, don’t be lazy when making the adjustments because they are bound to pay off multifold if you play your cards right.