6 Ways to Reduce Hot Water Costs Without the Cold Showers

Ever opened your energy bill only to realise it’s much larger than you were expecting? You’re not alone.

Hot water accounts for 21% of your home’s energy usage, so there are a lot of opportunities to make a saving here. We’ve got six ways to reduce hot water costs in your home, and not one of them asks you to ditch the hot showers.

1. Install low-flow shower heads

You could start by taking shorter showers or cut back on the hot water. There are other ways you can reduce hot water costs, however, and they don’t compromise your comfort.

Conventional shower heads can use upwards of 20 litres of water per minute (L/min). You can decrease your hot water usage by switching over to a low-flow shower head.

Low-flow shower heads commonly use 7.5 L/min, but you can find some that use as little as 5 L/min! The mechanisms behind these shower heads maintain your water pressure.

If you’re like the average Australian who takes a 7 minute shower with a ratio of hot to cold water at 70:30, then your shower could be using as much as 105 litres of hot water!

Upgrade to a 7.5 L/min low-flow shower head and you cut this down to 36.75 litres of hot water. That’s 65% less hot water than a conventional shower head!

2. Keep dishwasher and washing machine use to a minimum

We often hear that modern dishwashers and washing machines use less water than if you washed things by hand. While true, there are some caveats to consider and extra steps you can take to save money.

Firstly you should be waiting until you have a full load of laundry or a full dishwasher before setting it. Doing this will ensure you are using less water than if you washed things by hand. It will also help to save on the electricity required to run the machine.

Now that you’ve got a full load to wash, if you want to save more on your energy bills, only use cold water to do your washing. Your clothes and dishes will come out just as clean and all while reducing your hot water use.

3. Install the right hot water system for your home

Are you still using an old electric storage hot water system for your home’s water heating? These water heaters are notoriously inefficient and could be the cause of your high energy bills.

There is a range of different hot water systems on the market now. Upgrading to a newer model that meets your household’s requirements could help cut down your water heating costs.

The most energy-efficient models available are instant hot water systems. These heat water on demand rather than heating a whole storage tank regardless of whether you use all the water.

Instant hot water heaters come in both gas and electric models and so are suitable for any household. In most states, gas is the more cost-effective energy source.

There is a slight delay between turning the hot water tap on and for the water to become hot. They also have a limited hot water output and so aren’t the best for big families. While less energy efficient than an instant water heater, modern storage tanks are still a good option for larger homes.

For most cases in Australia, solar gas boosted storage tanks will be the most energy-efficient option. If solar and instant hot water isn’t an option, a gas storage tank is your next choice.

Then you need to consider what size water tank would suit your home. Too large of a tank and you’re wasting energy heating water you won’t use. Too small and you’ll be constantly running out of water and needing to wait for it to heat up again.

Having the right hot water system for your home can go a long way in helping to save money on your hot water usage.

4. Set your hot water system thermostat just right

Next, you should be checking the thermostat. What temperature is it set to?

For a storage tank hot water heater, it should be no lower than 60°C. Any lower and you risk bacteria growing in the water tank. If it’s set much higher than this, you’ll be paying more for your hot water usage than you need to.

Instant water heaters can be set at 50°C as water isn’t stored in a tank and so doesn’t run the risk of growing bacteria.

5. Use a timer or set your hot water system to heat during off-peak times

Running your hot water system off-peak is another great way to save and reduce hot water costs. This involves connecting your hot water tank to its own dedicated circuit that is billed at off-peak prices.

Energy suppliers charge off-peak rates to incentivise consumers to make the switch and take pressure off the system during high demand times.

Off-peak heating typically occurs outside of 4pm – 8pm, when energy demands are at their greatest. Your water is heated overnight using a cheaper energy tariff.

The main downside to this is heat loss from the tank during the day. This is especially bad for homes with a small hot water tank and little insulation.

If you can’t use off-peak electricity, you could alternatively set up a timer to turn your water heater on and off at set times.

6. Maintain your hot water heater

Over time, your hot water heater will inevitably become less efficient with general wear and tear. Having a qualified plumber out annually for a water heater service will help to maintain its efficiency for longer.

It will also help you identify faulty parts before they completely break down which could leave you without hot water completely.

While there are more ways to save on your hot water bill, these tips will go a long way in reducing your hot water costs. When the time comes to upgrade your hot water system or you need it serviced, Metropolitan Plumbing has hot water experts for same day service, even within the hour*!