Reduce your hot water energy usage during winter

It’s been pretty chilly in Perth over the past week, and no doubt most of us are spending that little bit longer in the shower to try and warm up in the morning and at the end of a long day.

However, it is important to remember that the longer you spend in the shower, the more energy your hot water system is using – and therefore, the larger your bills will be.

According to Synergy, hot water can contribute up to 17% of your household energy usage. This is mainly through the energy taken to heat the water in your bathroom, laundry and kitchen.

If your bills are sky-rocketing, it may be helpful to take note of these tips from Synergy on reducing the amount of energy your hot water system uses:

• Check the temperature of your hot water thermostat - the most efficient is 60ºC.
• Turn your hot water off when you're on holidays
• Use your solar hot water system's timer and thermostat - you could reduce energy by lowering your hot water temperature at certain times of the day.
• Get your heater serviced regularly to keep it running efficiently - even cleaning the dust and fluff from the fan can save on your electricity costs in winter.
• Consider a solar hot water system - using the sun’s power to heat your water means you’ll use less electricity to heat water.
• Clean all your dirty dishes at the same time - running your dishwasher with a full load is the most energy efficient way to use it.