Green Living: Energy Saving Tips from Santee Cooper Green
March 17, 2009
MONCKS CORNER, SC – March 17, 2009 – Heating and cooling the air can account for more than half of a typical home’s energy use, and the U.S. Department of Energy says heating water can be responsible for as much as 25 percent of a home’s energy consumption.
Following are a few tips from the DOE designed to lower the water-heating portion of your bill:
Lower the thermostat setting on your water heater: While some manufacturers set thermostats at 140 degrees, most households usually only require 120 degrees. For each 10-degree reduction in temperature, you can save between three and five percent in energy costs.
Reduce hot water use: Perhaps the most logical way to save money on hot water is to use less of it. Start by fixing any leaks and installing low-flow fixtures on your faucets and showerheads.
Insulation: Unless your water heater’s storage tank already has a high R-value of insulation (at least R-24), adding insulation can reduce standby heat losses by 25 to 45 percent, which represents as much as a four percent reduction in water-heating costs. If you don’t know your water heater tank’s R-value, touch it: A warm tank needs additional insulation. Insulating your hot water pipes also reduces heat loss and maximizes your water heater’s thermostat setting.
Other steps recommended by the DOE include installing a timer, a heat trap or a drain-water heat recovery system on your water heater. For some simpler solutions, the Alliance to Save Energy recommends taking five-minute showers instead of baths and running only full loads of dishes and laundry. Even switching exclusively to cold-water washing in your top-loading washing machine can shave as much as $63 off your annual energy costs, the Alliance says.
“Water heaters are often tucked away in nooks and crannies like closets, attics or basements and can be overlooked in a home’s overall efficiency strategy,” says Vice President of Retail Operations Zack Dusenbury. “Don’t let your money go down the drain. Make sure your water heater is running efficiently and effectively. If you’re thinking about installing a new unit, Santee Cooper offers low-interest loans for qualified products.”
Santee Cooper
Santee Cooper is South Carolina’s state-owned electric and water utility, and the state’s largest power producer, supplying electricity to more than 163,000 retail customers in Berkeley, Georgetown, and Horry counties, Georgetown and Horry counties, as well as to 29 large industrial facilities, the cities of Bamberg and Georgetown, and the Charleston Air Force Base. Santee Cooper also generates the power distributed by the state’s 20 electric cooperatives to more than 700,000 customers in all 46 counties. Approximately 2 million South Carolinians receive their power directly or indirectly from Santee Cooper. The utility also provides water to 137,000 consumers in Berkeley and Dorchester counties, and the town of Santee. For more information, visit www.SanteeCooper.com.
