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Water heating uses 17%
of the energy in U.S. homes. Solar water
heating is one option for reducing the energy you use for water
heating, but there are also several options for improved efficiency
in non-solar water heating.
Water heating is the second largest energy expense in U.S. households.
If your water heater is more than 10 years old, it probably has
an efficiency no higher than 50%. An old water heater can operate
for years at very low efficiencies before it finally fails. One
way to reduce water heating costs is to replace your old water heater
with a new, higher-efficiency model.
In addition, you should reduce your hot water use by buying appliances
with low water usage, such as front-loading (horizontal-axis) washing
machines, and by installing water-conserving plumbing fixtures.
Reducing your water use in general saves you money and saves the
energy used to purify the fresh water you use and the wastewater
you dispose of. In arid climates, reducing your water usage can
also help minimize your impact on the environment and help reduce
the need for new dams and other water projects.
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