September 2007
How Energy Efficient is Your Home?

WATER HEATING AND WATER USE

1. The temperature on my water heater is set to 120 degrees or lower.
2. The temperature on my water heater is set to 130 degrees.
3. The temperature on my water heater is set to 140 degrees.
4. The temperature on my water heater is set to 150 degrees or higher.

The recommended setting for water heaters is 120 degrees. For every 10 degrees you lower the temperature, you could save three to five percent on your energy costs.

1. My water heater and exposed water pipes are insulated.
2. My pipes are insulated, but not my water heater.
3. My water heater is insulated, but not my pipes.
4. Neither my pipes nor my water heater are insulated.

Water heating is the third largest energy expense in your home. Unless you have a tankless water heater, your water heater is constantly working to keep the water inside at the set temperature. By adding insulation to your water heater and pipes, you can help keep the water inside warm without working overtime.

1. All of my showerheads are low-flow and I have no faucet or water heater leaks.
2. I have low-flow showerheads and a few leaky faucets.
3. I have regular flow showerheads and no leaky faucets.
4. I have regular flow showerheads and some leaky faucets; oh, and maybe a little leak in the water heater, too.

A hot water faucet that leaks approximately one ounce of water per second can waste over 2,000 gallons of water each year, plus increase related energy costs. Install low-flow showerheads (less than 2.5 gallons per minute) and faucets (no more than 1 gpm).

Next page: Lighting

Page 1: Heating and Cooling
Page 2: Water Heating and Water Use
Page 3: Lighting
Page 4: Insulation
Page 5: Air Leaks
Page 6: How'd You Do?