Lower your water heater and home thermostats PDF Print E-mail

Background

U.S. Department of Energy estimates that 10% of your home's heating costs could be saved by turning your thermostat down 8 degrees for eight hours each day. The best way to save on your heating bill is to lower the thermostat while you are at work, if you go on vacation, and while you are sleeping. You will be saving money and letting the energy that would have otherwise been wasted heating your empty home go to others who will appreciate it more.

Carbon Savings

Lowering your water heater thermostat to 120 degrees can save 500 pounds of carbon each year, while lowering your home thermostat by two degrees can save around 2000 pounds of carbon each year. (Source: stopglobalwarming.com)

Take Action Now!

  • Visit your home thermostat! Check out the temperature on it and see how you compare to suggested averages. Wintertime suggested temperature is often stated as 68° F. When you are not at home or sleeping, you can lower the thermostat to 65° to save additional energy.  Read this fact sheet on home thermostats to learn more about suggested temperature settings and different types of thermostats.
  • Your water heater thermostat is a box located low on the front of your water heater. It is generally recommended that you leave your water heater thermostat at around 120° F.  This not only saves energy, but prevents scalding.

Consider purchasing a programmable home thermostat.

 

  • "Using a programmable thermostat, you can adjust the times you turn on the heating or air-conditioning according to a pre-set schedule. As a result, the equipment doesn't operate as much when you are asleep or when the house or part of the house is not occupied. Programmable thermostats can store and repeat multiple daily settings (six or more temperature settings a day)." —Chugach Electric
  • Check out more on programmable thermostats at Energy Star's website, including info on where to purchase them.
    • Try Energy Federation's online store for these and other energy efficient products.
    • Home Depot offers some programmable thermostats with free shipping.
    • Spenard Builders Supply also stocks programmable thermostats, which can be ordered by contacting their Rural Sales Department (907-261-9313) or finding a Spenard Builders Supply near you.
    • Programmable thermostats can also be found at just about any home improvement store, with prices ranging between 35 and 100 dollars.
 
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