Water Saving Tips

• Place faucet levers in the “cold” position when using small amounts of water as the “hot” position uses energy to heat the water even though it may never reach the faucet.
• Wash clothes in cold water and avoid using the longest setting unless completely necessary. Washing in cold water can save up to 12 gallons of hot water per load. Based on an average of eight loads per week, you could save approximately $40 per year.
• An average bath uses 15 to 25 gallons of hot water while a five minute shower uses less than 10 gallons. To conserve water, take showers instead of baths. And, when you shower, keep it as short and cool as tolerable.
• Periodically drain the water heater until water runs clear. This allows sediment and mineral deposits to escape and increases efficiency.
• Set your water heater to 120 degrees.
• Turn the water heater down to the lowest setting when away from home for more than three days.

• Replace your showerhead with one that uses less water.
• Fix leaky faucets. One drip can waste up to 250 gallons of water per month, which translates to 3,000 gallons of wasted water annually.
• If you have an electric water heater, install a timer that can automatically turn the heater off at night and on in the morning. At a $30 selling price and a do-it-yourself installation, a simple timer may pay for itself in energy saved in about 1 year.
• If your water heater is at least seven years old, consider replacing it with a new energy efficient or tankless model.