Seven Essential Tips to Save on Hot Water Costs In Ballarat
As the cooler months set in across Ballarat shire, managing home heating costs becomes a priority for many. One significant area where you can cut costs is in your hot water usage. Heating water accounts for a large chunk of energy bills, especially during winter. Here are seven practical tips to help you reduce your hot water costs without sacrificing comfort.
1. Insulate Your Hot Water System
One of the simplest yet effective ways to save on hot water costs is by insulating your water heater and the first few feet of pipes coming out of the heater. This is particularly crucial for older systems. Pipes and valves should be insulated but the storage tanks are already well insulated and it’s not common practice to insulate the tank beyond this.
2. Fix Leaks Promptly
A small drip from a leaking hot tap might not seem like much, but it can waste a substantial amount of hot water over time. One drip per second can add up to gallons of water wasted each week. Fixing leaky taps and shower heads promptly is an easy way to save on the water you’re heating unnecessarily.
3. Adjust the Thermostat
Many households have their water heater thermostat set higher than necessary. The default setting is often around 60-65 degrees Celsius, but lowering it to 60 degrees Celsius can reduce your heating costs without a noticeable difference in comfort. This temperature is still hot enough to be effective for showers and washing dishes but will save energy overall. (Hot water must be stored at a minimum temperature of 60 degrees Celsius to prevent the growth of Legionella bacteria)
4. Take Shorter Showers
Showers are one of the top consumers of hot water in the home. Encouraging your family to take shorter showers is a straightforward way to cut back on hot water use. Aiming for showers around 4-5 minutes can make a significant impact. Additionally, consider installing water-efficient showerheads to reduce water usage without compromising on pressure.
5. Use Cold Water for Laundry
Switching to cold water for laundry washing can make a big difference in your energy bills. Most modern laundry detergents are formulated to be effective in cold water, which means you can get your clothes clean without needing to heat water for washing them. This change alone can reduce the energy consumption of your washing machine by up to 90%.
6. New Technology
Install a heat pump hot water service that can reduce your energy bills by up to 80%. There are also government rebates to help towards the costs.
7. Usage Savers
If you do get a heat pump install water saving tapware and a water reducing shower head can help lower your hot water usage as well. Note these type of devices don’t work that well with a continuous flow gas hot water service or instant hot water services that require a high flow of water to work correctly.
Implementing these tips can lead to noticeable savings on your energy bills. Beyond these strategies, regular maintenance of your water heating system and considering an upgrade to a more energy-efficient model (heat pumps) can further enhance your savings in the long term. Stay warm and efficient this winter here in Ballarat!
