Hot water heating accounts

Hot water heating accounts for as much as 30 per cent an electricity bill and for those with gas hot water systems, the majority of the cost of a typical gas bill comes from heating water.

Since hot water is a household necessity it’s worth looking at ways to monitor usage especially in the lead up to winter as consumption normally increases. There can also be instances where a higher than expected hot water bill could be the sign of plumbing problems that need to be fixed or adjusted. Fixzit’s team of Brisbane plumbers explain some ways that you can monitor and cut usage of your hot water bill in this post.

1. Reduce length of hot showers

The biggest use of hot water in the home is unsurprisingly from hot showers. Be very conscious of the time you are spending in the shower as this is likely to creep up during colder months. While it may be tempting to spend longer under the hot water – it will come at a cost. In a household of three each minute added to a hot shower (i.e 5 minutes to 6 minutes for each member of the household) adds around 100 dollars yearly to the electricity or gas bill.

2. Check the Flow Rate

A fast flowing shower uses a lot more water (both hot and cold.) A good test is placing a 10 litre bucket beneath the shower. If it is full in a minute or under, this is excessive use of water and you will benefit from a reduced flow. Even a different shower head of 9 litres per minute will mean significant savings over a year.

3. Fix Leaking Hot Water Taps

Leaking taps should be fixed quickly, but even more urgently are fixing leaking hot water taps. A new washer for a tap can be done cheaply quickly yourself and is likely to solve the issue of a leaking tap. If not a new tap fitting can be easily and affordably supplied by a plumber.

4. Adjust the Thermostat

If hot water is heated above 60 degrees, it could be adding unnecessary heating costs. Some hot water boilers may allow you to adjust the thermostat but most likely it will need the help of a plumber. If your hot water from a tap is quickly too hot it’s a sign that the cylinder’s thermostat should be adjusted.

5. Wash Clothes in Cold Water

Not only is it a better way to wash most clothes, but using cold water in the washing machine can save you considerably over the course of a year. Unless it’s for tough stain removal, cold water is just as effective and sometimes even more so when washing clothes.

6. Skip the Hot Baths

If you’re serious about saving on hot water you may want to consider saving hot baths as a luxury. Filling a bath with hot water tens of litres of hot water and uses almost three times the amount as having a shower.

Finally – Doing dishes? Rinse in cold water first, and if using a dishwasher only use the dishwasher when it’s full or use an eco or half wash.

Our team here at Fixzit can install, repair and look after all areas of hot water systems and supply in your Brisbane home. We can also advise on more energy efficient options for a new hot water system so don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team of plumbers and electricians today.