Tips on heating water
Water heating is the second biggest use of electricity, if you have an electric water heater. Here’s how you can save.
Bathroom
Good habits
- Turn off the tap while you’re shaving or brushing your teeth.
- Save hot water: take quick showers rather than baths and, if possible, make them a minute shorter than usual.
- When you take a bath, don’t fill the tub all the way. It takes about 200 L of water to fill a bathtub halfway, 33% more than for a seven-minute shower at a rate of 9.5 L a minute.
Energy-efficient products
Save energy and water: Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators
Optimize your hot water consumption and reduce your electricity bill. WaterSense® labeled showerheads and faucet aerators regulate water flow without sacrificing comfort.
Various appliances
Good habits
- Wash your clothes in cold water, using a detergent meant for the purpose. Studies show that clothes washed in cold water come out just as clean as those washed in hot water. Another eco-friendly tip: If your laundry is heavily soiled, use your washer’s presoak cycle instead of washing the load twice.
- Do big loads, because washers are more energy-efficient when fully loaded. If your model has a water level selector, choose the appropriate setting for each load.
- If possible, install your washer near your water heater to reduce heat losses through the connecting pipes.
- Don’t run your dishwasher unless it’s full, and use the setting that washes the best on the shortest cycle.
- Don’t rinse your dishes, cutlery and utensils before putting them into the dishwasher. Just scrape them off.
Energy-efficient products
Opt for an ENERGY STAR® certified dishwasher
ENERGY STAR® certified dishwashers are 10% more efficient and typically use 15% less hot water than other models. Many ENERGY STAR® certified dishwashers have smart sensors that determine the right cycle and amount of water needed for each load.
Consider buying a high-efficiency clothes washer
ENERGY STAR® certified clothes washers use 25% less power and up to 40% less water than conventional models.
Drain water heat recovery
When you renovate, think about installing a drain water heat recovery system. The residual heat in water running through drainpipes (from the shower, for instance) is used to preheat water, cutting water-heating costs by 20% to 40%.
Maintenance and insulation
Good habits
- Keep your water heater set at 60°C (140°F). There’s absolutely no need for it to be any hotter.
- Repair leaky faucets. Think about it–all that hot water drip, drip, dripping could How to repair a leaky faucet
- Prevent scale buildup in your showerhead by cleaning it once a month, or more often, if necessary. Otherwise, it will lose its shine and become less efficient as the openings clog up.
- Insulate your water heater and hot-water pipes in cool or unheated areas to save energy. You can use insulating tape or easy-to-install plastic foam or fibreglass tubes.
Energy-efficient products
Replace your old water heater
A ECOPEAK® water heater lasts about 12 years from the date indicated on its nameplate. The various terms and conditions in your insurance contract may also have an impact on when you replace your water heater.
When replacing it, get the right size for your family and avoid overpaying on both purchase and use.
Opt for a ECOPEAK® three-element water heater, preferably. You’ll be making an environmentally responsible choice and helping reduce overall electricity demand during winter peak periods. The price is comparable to that of conventional two-element water heaters and it costs the same in electricity for hot water.
Have your ECOPEAK® three-element water heater installed by a professional. That way you’ll be sure that everything is done properly and is up to code.
