Many Charlottesville homeowners are trying to make their homes more eco-friendly and save energy at the same time.  One of the ways the save energy and lower our utility bills at the same time is to make some simple corrections to our home's water systems. 

One of the first steps is to lower the water temperature in the hot water heater to 120 degrees.  Each 10degree reduction in hot water temperature can save 3-5% on your yearly hot water bill.  At the same time lowering the water temperature can prolong the lifespan of your water heater.

Insulate your water heater by wrapping it with an insulating blanket.  This will pay for itself in less than a year and can reduce the energy use of your heater by 4-9%.

Install low flow showerheads and faucet aerators.  If you reduce hot water use you will naturally reduce the amount of energy used to heat the water.  These features can actually reduce the energy used in heating water by 50%.

Insulate your hoet water pipes whenever they are located where you can access them.  This will save energy while keeping the water in the pipes warm at the same time.

Fix leaky faucets.  Over time a leaky hot water faucet can waste a significant amount of hot water.

Use the warm or cold settings on your washing machine as much as possible.

Don't heat water when you are not going to use it.  You can buy a timer which will turn your hot water heater off at night and back on again in the morning in time to heave hot water for your morning shower.  Also when you are away on vacation you can turn your hot water heater off.

Initiate even just a couple of these tips and help make your Charlottesville home more environmentally friendly.  Lets work on making Charlottesville green!

Contact

Pam Dent

, e-PRO, SRES, NHD, REALTOR®, Real Estate III, Charlottesville, Virginia at 434 960-0161, [email protected], to list your property for sale or to buy a property in the following areas in Central Virginia: Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Keswick, Glenmore, Ivy, Crozet, Earlysville, Free Union, Cismont, Scottsville, Fluvanna County, Troy, Palmyra, Lake Monticello, Louisa County, Louisa, Mineral, Spring Creek, Orange County, Gordonsville, Orange, Barboursville, Greene County, Ruckersville.

 

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