One no-cost and very simple thing you can do to lower your water heating costs is to lower the temperature on your water heater.  Whether you have an electric water heater or gas water heater, lowering the temperature will save you money.  Here’s the way it works:  your water heater is constantly heating and re-heating the same water over and over, all so you can have hot water the moment you need it.  It heats up, cools down, heats up, and cools down.  By lowering the temperature, your water heater doesn’t heat up the water as much, thus saving energy.

Ah, but what about those of you who, like me, enjoy a super hot shower?  Ask yourself this — do you have to mix cold water with the hot to get the temperature just right?  If so, your water heater is set too high.  Think about it, if you have to add cold water, then the hot water is too hot!

Your water heater works 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, 365 days per year, so even a slight decrease in the temperature setting will add up to big energy savings.

Cost:  $0

Monthly Savings:  varies

Payback:  Immediate.

Photo credit:  a.drian