Nothing beats a steaming hot shower or bath after a long day. But did you know all that hot water happiness could be harming the planet and costing your parents a ton of money? It’s time to learn some easy ways to reduce your hot water use. As per water experts Same Day Hot Water Service, together we can make a difference with just a few simple changes. Here are some tips on reducing hot water usage:
How Hot Water Waste Hurts the Planet
Heating up water uses lots of energy. Like A LOT of energy. Just to give you an idea:
- The average family’s hot water use produces over 1,500 pounds of CO2 per year.
- A single load in your dishwasher uses up to 15 gallons of H2O.
- Taking a 10 minute shower can use around 40 gallons of water.
All that energy for heating also comes from non-renewable resources like gas, oil or coal. So reducing your hot water use helps cut carbon emissions that are damaging our planet. Small changes make a big impact.
Save Your Parents Some Serious Cash
Wasting hot water will burn through your parents’ paychecks fast too. Water heating accounts for up to 18% of home energy bills. With easy cutbacks, your family could save:
- $100 per year by washing full loads of laundry in cold water
- $200+ per year by setting the thermostat on your water heater to 120°F
- $300+ per year by taking 5 minute showers instead of 10 minute showers
Think of all the goodies that extra cash could buy instead. Video games, new clothes, college savings. Just by being smart with your hot water habits.
Shower Smarter, Not Longer
Your shower time is definitely where you can make the biggest difference. Try these tricks:
- Stick to 5 minute showers max. Time yourself with a fun timer or song.
- Install a low-flow shower head. It mixes air in to reduce water usage but still feels just as powerful.
- Turn the heat down. Lowering by just 10°F will save up to $50 per year.
- Only run the water when rinsing off soap and shampoo. Turn it off while shaving, washing your face, etc.
Out of the shower, be sure to grab a towel and dress before cranking on the blowdryer. Every bit counts.
Sink and Appliance Hacks
Your other hot water guzzlers are the sink, dishwasher, washing machine and more. Try these tips:
- Always run full loads in the dishwasher and washing machine. No half loads.
- Scrape off dishes instead of fully rinsing before loading the dishwasher.
- Wash clothes in cold water cycles whenever possible. Your clothes will still get clean.
- Fix any leaky faucets. One drip per second wastes 2,400 gallons of H2O per year.
See, just a few painless changes will make a big difference. We got this planet saving thing down.
Be a H2O Hero.
Alright, it’s time to put these tips into action. Challenge yourself and your family to reduce your hot water use for one month. Then compare your utility bill to see the savings. Making any dent in your hot water usage will help conserve energy and lower CO2. Plus, you can feel good knowing you’re saving your parents money too. Pretty heroic.
Conclusion
So monitor your shower time, opt for cold wash cycles, and fix those leaks. Together we can work towards a happier planet and healthier household budget. We know you kiddos have the power to make a meaningful impact. Now go get saving.
