You can reduce your water heating costs by simply lowering the thermostat setting on your water heater. A 60ºF reduction in water temperature can save over 50% in energy costs.
Most households only require 120ºF to 125ºF water for dish-washing, laundry and showering. These temperatures also destroy any bacteria within the water. Water heated at 130ºF to 180ºF poses a safety hazard—scalding. Every gallon of water heated to 180ºF must be mixed with 0.86 gallons of water at 50ºF to achieve a mixed temperature of 110ºF. Why heat water up only to dilute it with cold water later?
For more information, see our report: Saving Energy on Water Heating
