Water Heater

• Think when you're at the sink. Run less water while brushing your teeth, shaving, washing your face, and washing dishes.
  

• Switch to showers. A typical bath uses 15 to 25 gallons of hot water. A five-minute shower uses only 10.
  

• Install aerators in faucets and showerheads. Aerators decrease the flow of water and can reduce your hot water consumption by half.
  

• Federal standards require that new showerheads run at no more than 2.5 gallons per minute. Installing a low-flow showerhead can save you as much as 15,000 gallons of water per year.
  

• Repair leaky faucets and showerheads. A leak of one drip per second can cost as much as $1 per month.
  

• Insulate your hot water tank and pipes to prevent heat loss. You can save up to $50 a year, if it is an older model. Newer tanks have enough built-in insulation and don't need any more.
  

• Drain a quart of water from your hot water tank every three months. This removes sediment and boosts efficiency.
  

• Lower the thermostat on your water heater to 120 degrees F. Every 10-degree reduction saves you 13% per year - as much as $60.