When analyzing home energy use, we always look in three areas:

• Domestic hot water – energy used to heat water for day to day use in baths, showers, washing, etc.
• Space heating/cooling – energy used to heat or cool the home.
• Appliances – energy (usually electric) used for lighting, appliances, and mechanical.

A typical Canadian home uses between 25~33% of their energy heating domestic hot water. The easiest way to reduce the energy you use heating hot water is to reduce the amount of hot water you use.

In their 2004 booklet on Water Conservation, Carbon Dioxide Reduction Edmonton identifies a number of strategies available to reduce the amount of water and more specifically hot water used:

• Repair any leaking faucets
• Install low flow shower heads
• Install low flow faucet aerators
• Purchase Energy Star clothes washer and dish washer.

A leaking faucet dripping only one drop per second will waste 8000 litres of water per year. If this is hot water, the cost is even more significant. Repairing any leaking faucets is an easy and cost effective way to save energy.

Low flow shower heads will reduce hot water usage by 30 to 50% without significantly reducing the feel of the shower. These are inexpensive to purchase and easy to install.

Figure 1 – Source CORE : An inexpensive flow restrictor and be installed to reduce the water flow rate by 20~30%

Low flow faucet aerators thread into existing faucets. They reduce flow rates by up to 50% by mixing air into the water. This can translate into overall water savings of 30% on a typical faucet.

Front loading Energy Star clothes washers will use 30-50% less water than regular clothes washers. They also do a better job of extracting water from clothes during the spin cycle which will further reduce energy costs related to drying clothes. Energy Star dish washers use at least 25% less water and can save 20% on heating costs by heating incoming water.

So what are we waiting for? Proven technologies are available to reduce hot water consumption in your home. Reducing hot water consumption will reduce the amount of energy you use, save you money and lower your green house gas emissions.