| 1 |
Add energy-efficient showerheads and faucet aerators. These can reduce the amount of water released from a tap by up to 50 percent, which means less hot water needs to be heated. |
| 2 |
Heat water to the right temperature. The recommended temperature is 120ºF (49ºC). |
| 3 |
Repair leaks at once. A dripping faucet can waste 6-10 gallons (23-38 liters) of water a day. Replace worn-out washers. |
| 4 |
Insulate hot and cold water pipes. If pipes are exposed beneath your home, insulate them with special pipe-insulating foam, or tape a standard insulation blanket around them. Keep cold pipes from freezing and hot pipes hot. |
| 5 |
Turn your water heater off when you're on vacation. If you plan to be away for more than five days, turn your water heater off. Post a reminder to turn it on when returning. |
| 6 |
Use drapes to insulate. Keep drapes closed to keep warm air in. Open drapes to allow the sun's rays to help warm rooms. |
| 7 |
Take a shower instead of a bath. The average bath uses twice as much hot water as a 5-minute shower. |
| 8 |
Turn faucets off when not using the water. Running water non-stop during shaving or brushing teeth is wasteful. Turn on the faucet when necessary and save thousands of gallons of water a year plus energy needed to heat it. |
| 9 |
Apply weather stripping to stop drafts around doors and windows. Beneath doors, install common draft guards available at most hardware stores. Add weather stripping to window and doorframes. |
| 10 |
Caulk smaller gaps. Many homes have cracks and leaks that are equal to a 2' x 2' open window. |
| 11 |
Double insulate windows. Storm windows are an effective energy saver for leaky windows. An economical alternative is plastic sheeting. |
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