Water Heating In Montana

On average, water heating accounts for about 15% of a household's total energy expenses. While our main concern about water heating is having a reliable source of hot water (After all, nobody likes to run out of hot water in the middle of a shower), it's also important to reduce water-heating expenses whenever possible.

Your water heater is one of the appliances that will be inspected and evaluated during a home energy audit.

The audit will rate water heater efficiency and also identify potential safety and durability issues. Dr. Energy Saver Missoula may also recommend upgrades based on these findings.

Learn how your house uses & loses energy —and how you can save energy and money with specific improvements. When you sign up for a home energy audit with Dr. Energy Saver Missoula, you'll receive a free copy of our book, "Saving Energy and $ at Home."

If you don't need to replace your water heater, or if water heater replacement is an upgrade you can't afford at the present time, there are still some energy-saving improvements to consider:

Tank insulation. If the outside of your tank-type water heater is warm to the touch, this is an indication that too much heat is being lost. Dr. Energy Saver Missoula can reduce this "standby heat loss" (and cut your water heating expenses) by installing water heater insulation.

Pipe insulation. Hot water supply pipes should be insulated to reduce the heat loss that takes place between the hot water heater and the tap or appliance. Pipe insulation saves energy and also cuts down the wait for hot water to arrive, but many houses lack this feature. Dr. Energy Saver Missoula can complete this upgrade quickly and affordably.

Eco-friendly showerheads. Showering accounts for about 30% of total home water consumption, so a high-volume showerhead will increase your water-heating costs (and your water bill, if you depend on a municipal water supply). There are many eco-friendly "low-flow" showerheads on the market, but some are better than others. Dr. Energy Saver Missoula can help you select low-flow showerheads that utilize aerating and/or pulsing technology to deliver a satisfying soak.

Water-efficient appliances. Your dishwasher and washing machine have a major impact on water use and thus, water-heating expenses. Even among Energy Star® appliances, water usage can vary greatly. If an energy audit establishes that one or both of these appliances are water "hogs" consider replacing them with new water-efficient models.

Related Pages:

• Home Energy Audits
• Home Insulation
• Air Sealing