Posted by Stephanie in Now it’s time for Idaho Power’s weekly energy efficiency tip.
Let’s talk bathrooms and how your water use impacts your energy bills. According to the Department of Energy, heating water is the second largest residential energy use.
For a lot of us, a nice hot shower is a luxury. But a standard showerhead uses about 4 to 6 gallons of water per minute—so even a five-minute shower can consume 30 gallons. Here’s a simple solution. Replace standard showerheads with energy efficient ones which cut the flow rate to just 2.5 gallons of water per minute. You’ll reduce water use by 50 percent or more—plus cut your energy costs for heating hot water for showers by as much as 50 percent.
Installing faucet aerators is another easy way to save water and the energy to heat it. Older faucets allow a flow of 3 to 5 gallons of water per minute. New energy efficient faucets are regulated and flow at no more than 2.5 gallons per minute.
Now let’s talk toilets. If you have plans to remodel a bathroom or add an extra bath in your home, you’ll likely be shopping for a new toilet. While there are many high efficiency, low-flow toilet models to choose from, the latest technology is dual-flush toilets. Dual-flush toilets allow you to choose a half flush or full flush offering significant reductions in water usage compared to traditional toilets that use a single full flush. With a dual-flush toilet, you can save money and help the environment.
For more energy-saving tips, visit the Energy Efficiency.
