Water Use
Did you know the average hot water use rates for the following activities?  

Activity	Gallons/Use
Clothes Washing	32
Showering	20
Automatic Dishwashing	12
Preparing Food	5
Hand Dishwashing	4

Water heating can account for 14% - 25% of the energy consumed in your home.

Tips 
To conserve water and energy, we suggest you try the following:

• Install covers on pools and spas to avoid water evaporation.
• Insulate the first 6 feet of hot and cold water pipes. It reduces heat loss and can raise the water temperature 2° - 4°F.
• Don’t use running water to thaw food.
• Plug the bathtub before turning the water on.
• When shopping for a new washing machine, dishwasher, or hot water heater look for Energy Star models. They will save water, energy, and money.
• Install aerating, low-flow faucets and showerheads with a flow rate of less than 2.5 gpm. They’re cheap, easy to install, and save hundreds of gallons a week.
• Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when full. You could save 1,000 gallons a month.
• Soak pots and pans rather than let them sit under running water while you scrape them clean.
• Turn off water while you brush your teeth and save 4 gallons a minute – that’s 10,000 gallons a year for a family of four.
• Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and sidewalk. You could save up to 80 gallons of water every time.
• Repair leaky faucets promptly.
• Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120°F. It can save 3% - 5% in energy costs.
• Take short showers instead of baths.
• Consider installing a drain water waste heat recovery system. It could have an energy savings of 25% - 30%.
• Insulate hot water heaters according to manufacturer’s instructions.
• Consider using on-demand natural gas or tankless water heaters.
• You might qualify for tax credits or rebates for buying a solar water heater.