Your Guide to the One-Tonne Challenge
Tips For Homeowners – Water heating and use
Install a low-flow showerhead
Install a low-flow showerhead with a shut-off lever. This do-it-yourself project takes only minutes. But it delivers big savings in water consumption and water heating, because it allows you to interrupt water flow. A low-flow showerhead uses 60% less water than standard fixtures.
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Go for a high-efficiency water heater unit
Go for a high-efficiency water heater unit Some new models heat water only when you need it, rather than storing hot water in a tank.
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Take a quick shower
Take a quick shower instead of a bath. A five-minute shower, for instance, uses up to 50% less hot water than a bath.
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Avoid running the tap
Avoid running the tap while shaving, brushing your teeth or doing dishes. Partially fill the sink with water and stop about 80% of that clean water from going down the drain – along with your money.
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Insulate water pipes
Insulate water pipes to reduce heat loss. Insulate the first two metres of the hot- and cold-water pipes from the water heater. A significant amount of heat travels through these pipes and can be lost, particularly through unheated areas such as basements and crawl spaces. For safety, don’t place any pipe insulation within 15 centimetres (6 inches) of the exhaust vent at the top of standard natural gas/propane or oil-fired water heaters, and never insulate plastic pipes. If you have an electric water heater, insulate the tank for further energy savings.
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Turn off your cottage’s water heater when you leave
It wastes energy to keep water hot when it isn’t needed. It doesn’t take long to heat up when you return.
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