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GrandBridge Energy

Conservation

Hot Water

General Tips

  • Install low-flow shower heads.
  • Turn your taps all the way off and replace worn-out washers.
  • Attach an aerator to the end of a faucet to reduce the flow rate by about half.
  • Do household cleaning with cold water rather than hot.
  • Run only full loads in the dishwasher. Air dry your dishes or use the air dry (or energy saver) option if available or leave door open to naturally dry your dishes. Drying your dishes in the dishwasher uses a lot of energy.
  • Fix leaky taps. One constant drip can waste up to 182 litre-sized bottles of water per week. Save 15% of your home’s hot water use by taking quick showers instead of baths.

Hot Water Heaters

Water heaters use the most energy in the home after home heating. Using an efficient heater — and less hot water — can have a big impact on your energy savings.

  • Wash and rinse your laundry in cold water, and use a front-load washing machine — it uses almost 40% less water.
  • Install low-flow faucet aerators and showerheads — your shower will use one third the water of a bath.
  • Run full loads in washing machines and dishwashers.
  • Turn off the water while washing, shaving or brushing your teeth.

Faucets

  • Fix leaky pipes or faucets — you could be pouring 11,350 litres (2,500 gallons) or more down the drain every year.
  • Ensure that taps are turned off completely.
  • Replace worn-out washers.
  • Install aerators on your kitchen faucets.
  • Wrap your electric water heater with a blanket made for that purpose to help reduce heat loss.

Pipes

  • Insulate your hot water pipes.
  • Starting at your hot water tank, install pipe insulation around the first metre of the cold water pipe coming into the tank and the first two metres of the hot water copper pipes.
  • If you have a gas-heated tank, start the pipe wrap 15cm away from exhaust vents at the top of the water heater.
  • Never insulate plastic pipes.

Showerheads

Install a low-flow showerhead to reduce the flow of water 40 to 60%.

More Energy Saving Tips from Save on Energy