Hot water accounts for about 10 percent of your home’s energy bill. Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce your hot water costs and make getting ready for the summer a little easier on the wallet. Whether you already have a fixed rate and want to explore ways to lower your bill further or are interested in signing up for a new rate plan altogether, there is likely room for improvement. The first step towards lower hot water costs is identifying whether your current rate is appropriate for your situation and if there is room for savings. There are a few different factors that will impact your specific hot water cost: type of plumbing, type of water heater, water usage, etc. To get started on saving money on your hot water bill, here are some things to keep in mind:- Check your water meter and read how much water you use each day, week, and month. This will help you determine your average water flow and what type of rate plan might be best for your situation.- Compare the costs of different types of water heaters and see if there is one that might be better suited to your home in terms of efficiency and upkeep.- Look into the different rates and special offers available from your water company. Some offer seasonal discounts, others have promotional rates that vary based on your usage.- Shop around for a new rate plan. New York state law requires all public and private water companies to cap their rates at the same level they were at in 2013. This means that rates should not rise above that level, regardless of if they increased or decreased slightly during that time frame.- For some companies, signing up for a new rate plan is as simple as visiting their website and following a few prompts.- If you are renting, you’ll want to factor in the cost of replacing the water heater at the end of your lease. This will help you determine if it makes sense to purchase it now or wait until the end of your term.

Research the Average Cost of Hot Water in Your Area

The first step towards lowering your hot water costs is researching the average cost of hot water in your area. The Department of Energy publishes a list of average water and sewer costs across the country to help you determine which areas may be more or less expensive than others. You can also find out about the average cost of water and sewer in your city by visiting the website of your local water company. This can give you a better idea of what your water costs will be based on your specific situation and can help you determine if there is room for savings.

Evaluate Your Water Type and Usage

The type of plumbing in your home and the type of water heater will impact your specific hot water cost. There are two primary types of water: cold and hot. Cold water is used for things like washing vegetables, cleaning, showering, and watering plants. Cold water is generally provided by an underground water main and is only found in certain areas of the country.Hot water is used for everything else, like cooking, domestic cleaning, and bathing. There are two primary types of water heaters used to provide hot water: conventional and tankless.Conventional water heaters are large and require a dedicated space in your home, like a basement or crawl space. These water heaters are large, bulky, and require a professional to maintain them. While these water heaters are great for large families, they can take up a lot of space and are not ideal for smaller homes or apartments.Conventional water heaters are also extremely inefficient, which means they use a lot of energy to heat water. As a result, many conventional water heaters have been replaced with tankless water heaters that are much more energy efficient.Tankless water heaters are small and can be installed in a closet or basement. They are a good choice for smaller homes, apartments, or renters, as they use less space and require less upkeep than conventional water heaters.

Find Out if You Can Increase the Flow of Cold Water

If you currently have a high cold water flow in your home and want to save money on your hot water bill, you can install a water regulator. A regulator is a device that restricts the flow of water from your water main into your home. If you have a large family or live in a high-occupancy home, you may be able to increase the flow of cold water by installing a regulator. It’s also worth noting that some areas have water rates that are determined by the amount of water that flows into the home. If your water rate is determined by the amount of water that flows into the home, you may be able to save money by increasing the flow of cold water.

Install a Tankless Water Heater

If you live in an apartment building or are renting a home, you may not be able to install a conventional water heater. Instead, you may be able to install a tankless water heater. These heaters are more efficient than conventional water heaters and can help reduce your energy bill. They can also be installed in spaces that don’t have basements, crawl spaces, or lots of room for a large water heater. These water heaters heat water on demand, so they’re far more efficient than conventional water heaters.Tankless water heaters can be a good choice for renting properties, especially if the landlord is concerned about the number of people living in the home.

Conclusion

Hot water accounts for about 10 percent of your home’s energy bill. Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce your hot water costs and make getting ready for the summer a little easier on the wallet. The first step towards lower hot water costs is identifying whether your current rate is appropriate for your situation and if there is room for savings. The next step is to evaluate your water type and usage. The third step is to find out if you can increase the flow of cold water. After that, you can install a tankless water heater. All of these steps will help you reduce your hot water bill.

Frequently Asked Question

While you technically can install a hot water heater yourself as a homeowner, the likelihood that this is a good or safe idea is very slim. Trust the professionals with your hot water heater installation to make sure it's done correctly. You wouldn't want to cause yourself or your family any harm.
The higher cost is a result of a more labor-intensive set-up, as new gas and water lines are required for installation. For a new tankless water heater, new electric wiring will need to be installed.
Turn off all water supplies in the house. Turn on all the hot water faucets in the house in order to drain what is left in the existing hot water heater. Then, disconnect the water line that connects the water heater to the rest of the house. There is often a connection on a hose that you can simply unscrew.
  • Your older water heater is getting up there in age
  • It's making strange noises
  • You're getting rusty water out of the tap
  • Your hot water doesn't last as long as it used to
  • There are water puddles around the unit
120 degrees Fahrenheit is the safety recommendation against scalding, but 140° is the common default setting. Most experts agree that anything below 120 degrees creates a risk for bacteria to develop inside your water heater from stagnant water, such as legionella that causes Legionnaire's disease.
These heaters can be fueled by electricity, gas, or liquid propane and installed in many areas of your home. The national average cost to replace a 50-gallon hot water heater is $1,100 to $2,800, with most people paying around $1,800 for a direct replacement of a 50-gallon gas hot water heater using the same model.
  • Your older water heater is getting up there in age
  • It's making strange noises
  • You're getting rusty water out of the tap
  • Your hot water doesn't last as long as it used to
  • There are water puddles around the unit
These heaters can be fueled by electricity, gas, or liquid propane and installed in many areas of your home. The national average cost to replace a 50-gallon water heater is $1,100 to $2,800, with most people paying around $1,800 for a direct replacement of a 50-gallon gas hot water heater using the same model.
Turn up the thermostat on the hot water heater. One of the easiest ways to make a hot shower last longer is by using less hot water while it's at a higher temperature. To do this, turn up the temperature on the thermostat that's attached to the hot water heater tank. (Not the thermostat on the wall.)