Parkwood Neighborhood

CPS Energy Recommends Ways to Save Energy

Ways to Save on Water Heating

CPS ENERGY SUGGESTS WAYS TO SAVE ON WATER HEATING

In a typical local home, water heating is the second-biggest energy user after space heating and air conditioning. “Water heating accounts for approximately 13 percent of residential utility costs,” according to Leon Waddy, consumer relations supervisor for CPS Energy, Greater San Antonio’s electric and natural gas utility.

“The good news is that it's possible to reduce water heating costs by selecting an energy-efficient water heater that meets consumer needs, by installing some basic water-saving devices and by adjusting daily habits," said Waddy.

Whether customers use electric or gas water heaters, the best way to save money on hot water is not to waste a drop of it, he added.

CPS Energy offers the following tips for water heating savings and safety:

· Reduce hot water consumption. It doesn’t take a lot of effort to cut your hot water use. Just turn off the hot water while you’re hand-washing dishes, brushing your teeth or shaving, and you’ll save two to three gallons of water a minute. Consider switching to showers instead of baths.

· To avoid wasting several gallons of water a day, promptly repair leaking faucets, showerheads or pipes.

· To reduce your hot water consumption by up to a half, install low-flow showerheads and faucets, or add flow-restricting faucet aerators to existing faucets. A five-minute, low-flow shower uses 10 to 15 gallons of hot water, while a bath uses 15 to 25 gallons.

· Lower your water temperature. You’ll save 3 to 5 percent on annual water-heating costs for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit (F) you lower your hot water temperature. If you own a dishwasher, adjust the temperature setting on your hot water heater to no more than 140 degrees F, the temperature recommended for cleaning. If you don’t own a dishwasher, or if you have one with its own booster heater, lower your hot water temperature to 120 degrees F.

· Use energy wisely. Consider installing an automatic timer that will turn hot water off at night and on again in the morning. With a timer, you won’t be heating hot water when you’re not likely to use it. Once installed, the timer will pay for itself in a year or two.

· Insulate your water heater tank and pipes. Insulating the 10 feet of hot water pipe nearest the water heater cuts heat loss from the tank. Insulating the entire run from the tank to the kitchen sink helps water in the pipes stay warm, which means you won’t have to run the faucet as long to get hot water. These two inexpensive procedures should save about 5 percent on your water-heating bill and pay for themselves in about one year.

· Keep your water heater tank sediment-free. Sediment impedes heat transfer, lowers efficiency and shortens the life of your water heater. You can remove sediment by draining a quart of water from your hot water tank every three months. See your water heater owner’s manual for directions.

· If you have a gas or electric emergency, call the CPS Energy 24-hour Help Line at 353-HELP (4357).

· For more energy-efficiency ideas, call 353-2302.

CPS Energy is the nation’s largest municipally owned energy company providing both natural gas and electric service. Acquired by the City of San Antonio in 1942, CPS Energy serves approximately 662,000 electric customers and more than 314,000 natural gas customers in and around the seventh largest city in the U.S. Proceeds from CPS Energy remain in San Antonio and account for approximately one-fifth of the City’s annual operating budget for police and fire protection, street improvements, parks and other services. CPS Energy bills rank among the lowest of the nation’s largest cities, and the company has earned the highest financial ratings of any electric system in the nation. More information about CPS Energy can be found on the Web at www.cpsenergy.com.



-- CPS Energy