Insulating hot water pipes, especially those in unconditioned spaces, such as a basement, reduces heat loss and can raise delivered water temperature by 2–4°F; this allows for a lower water temperature setting. You’ll also conserve water because you won't have to wait as long for hot water when you turn on a faucet or showerhead. This is an easy do-it-yourself project, and the materials you need are available at your local hardware store. Check out these instructions for hot water pipe insulation or this instructional video.
Install a timer on your pre-1998 electric hot water heater
Putting an inexpensive timer on your electric hot water heater so it shuts down when you are asleep or at work and starts up again about an hour before you wake or return can save energy and money. The savings will be more significant if your hot water heater was made before 1998 or if you do not want to insulate your heater or hot water pipes. Learn more about how to install a water heater timer.
Install an Energy Star certified electric Heat Pump Water Heater
Water heaters are often the second highest energy user in the home. If your water heater is more than 10 years old, consider replacing it with a new ENERGY STAR certified Heat Pump Water Heater to save energy, save money, and help protect our climate. Investing in a planned replacement NOW can lock in big energy savings and help avoid a potential costly clean up when your old water heater fails. Heat pump water heaters come in both electric and gas models. While they may cost more to purchase, a heat pump water heater costs less to operate and can reduce your utility bills.
To see how heat pump water heaters work and how ENERGY STAR certified models can help you save on your utility bills, watch this short video: "ENERGY STAR Water Heaters Mean BIG Savings!"
Also known as a “demand” or “instantaneous” water heater, the tankless systems can conserve up to 34% of energy compared to a conventional hot water tank. Tankless hot water heaters and installation services are available at stores like Home Depot and Lowes. Learn more about tankless water heaters from EnergyStar.gov or check out these do-it-yourself instructions for installation. Washington Gas offers rebates to homeowners and contractors for natural gas tankless water heaters.
You can reduce the amount of energy used for water heating by needing less water when you shower. Federal regulations mandate that new showerhead flow rates cannot exceed 2.5 gallons per minute at 80 pounds per square inch. A low-flow showerhead can achieve water savings of 25-60%. Learn more about low-flow showerheads from EnergySavers.gov. Check out this video to learn how to install a low-flow showerhead.
Potomac Edison customers with electric hot water can receive a low-flow showerhead with a Home Energy Check Up
Choosing a low-flow showerhead does not mean that you have to sacrifice the great feeling of a therapeutic shower. There is a wide variety of showerheads available to suit your specific needs. Look for products at your local hardware store with the WaterSense label to ensure maximum water savings.
Aerators cut water use by 30% or more and save money on water and energy bills. By installing faucet aerators, the average household can save over 500 gallons of water per year. Learn more about low-flow aerators from EnergySavers.gov.
Low-volume faucet aerators are very inexpensive and can be installed without replacing the entire faucet. Look for products at your local hardware store with the WaterSense label to ensure maximum water savings. A newer kitchen faucet usually comes with a low-flow faucet aerator that restricts flow to 2.2 gpm, but should you need to replace it, or install one on a bathroom faucet, be sure to select one with a flow rate of no more than 1.0 gpm.
Potomac Edison customers with electric hot water can receive a low-flow aerator with a Home Energy Checkup
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