Make energy efficiency a goal

Adding energy efficiency to one’s list of goals can help save money, with the added bonus of saving precious water and other natural resources.

“It’s important to start with manageable energy efficiency goals that you can easily achieve,” says Hal Snyder, vice president of customer programs for SDG&E. “For instance, focusing on water heating and low-flow shower heads is an easy way to make big strides toward going ‘green’ in your home.”

Water heating is typically the second largest energy expense in the home, after heating and cooling. It can account for as much as 25 percent of a home’s utility bill. In the winter, the water heater has to work longer because the water coming into the house is colder, which is why water-heating costs may go up during the winter.

“Replacing your old water heater with a newer tankless or energy efficient model should save about 10 percent on water heating costs,” explains Snyder. “And $30 rebates are available on new water heaters that meet certain requirements, helping ease the cost of the initial investment.”

In the chilly weather many people take longer, hotter showers, which in many cases are the single largest contributor to overall hot water use. Even a modest 10-minute shower can use up to 50 gallons of hot water with a conventional shower head. A low-flow shower head can reduce this by half or more, without sacrificing the “feel” of the shower.

“A family of three will take approximately 1,100 10-minute showers per year and low-flow shower heads would save the family almost 27,500 gallons of water per year, amounting in water heating savings of approximately $350 for electric and $135 for gas water heaters,” says Snyder. “And the initial investment is around $10 for an easy-to-install, low-flow shower head.”

In addition to installing low-flow shower heads, try these five energy-saving tips to control your water-heating costs and make your energy efficiency resolution a reality:

• Set the thermostat on water heaters to mid-range (120°F), which will provide plenty of hot water and help save money on energy costs. Maintaining this temperature will also reduce the risk of scalding. Note: Some dishwasher models require a higher temperature, so check the dishwasher owner’s manual for the proper setting.

• Most clothes can effectively be cleaned in either warm or cold water. In fact, hotter water can sometimes cause stains to “set” and cooler water helps prevent premature wear and fading of fabrics. Always use a cold water rinse.

• Turn off the water while shaving, lathering hands with soap, or scrubbing dishes.

• Fix dripping faucets. A slow drip of hot water can waste up to 350 gallons per month, which is money down the drain.

• Run a full load of dishes in the dishwasher instead of washing a few dishes by hand several times a day or running partial dishwasher loads. A dishwasher uses about 17 gallons of hot water per load. It would take approximately 20 or 30 gallons of hot water to hand-wash those same dishes.

Finally, to better understand typical costs for heating and running major appliances, visit http://www.sdge.com/forms and click on “Your Energy Costs: A Room-by-Room Guide” under “Energy Efficiency” or call SDG&E’s Energy Information Center at (800) 644-6133.