In winter, especially in the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles County areas, utility bills continue to stay high. Heating bills are high, and that does not just mean central heating and electricity for space heaters. It takes energy to heat up the water in your home as well.
You can take the right steps to reduce your household bills, especially plumbing. It can make up some of the difference that is spent on heating up your home.
Household Plumbing Bill Saving Tips
The majority of our energy bills come from heating our water, just behind central heating and air conditioning. Electricity bills tend to be the highest around this time of the year. Did you know, however, that an action as simple as shutting the doors and sealing up the cracks in your windows and doors to prevent warm air from escaping (and cold air from seeping in!) can make a huge difference? Doing these small steps can make a huge difference in the amount of energy you will need to heat up your entire home.
Here are some other tips that may be helpful to you:
Turn down the thermostat.
The Department of Energy recommends keeping your water heater at 120 degrees. Not only can this keep your energy bills low, but the lower temperature can also prevent scalding accidents, which is a frequent concern for many families.
Keep your showers short.
Every extra minute spent lingering in the shower has to be paid for. While it is tempting to stay a little longer and soak, remember that it does take up a great deal of energy to heat up that water.
Insulate your water heater.
You may want to think about investing in insulation for your water heater. This keeps the heat in, preventing the unit from getting too cold, and working twice as hard to heat up again.
Humidify the air.
The air is incredibly dry in winter. Adding a little moisture to the rooms can help you feel warmer. While purchasing an electronic humidifier system can be a worthwhile investment, it may not always be practical if you are looking to reduce your energy bills. One trick is to leave bowls of water in the room, near heating units. This is an inexpensive way to add moisture to the room!
Replace your water heater.
Not all water heaters are designed to last forever. Energy-efficient models are becoming more and more prominent on the market now. The investment can help save your bills much more in the long run.
For more information about water heater systems or other plumbing tips, be sure to contact our San Fernando Valley plumbers at Duran & Sons Universal Plumbing & Rooter. We are available 24/7!