Hidden cost of hot water

A local homeowner was shocked to receive a water invoice for over $15,000 after finding a puddle of water forming outside his house. A ruling by the regulator stated that the water company had no liability for the leak but should have done more to alert the man.

Regulators have frequently warned that homeowners are liable for any repairs and water charges resulting from a leak on their property.

If you have a standard electric storage heater, then one minute of showering requires the same amount of energy as using the TV for 4 hours.

With hot water responsible for over 25% of your electricity bill, cutting your shower use by 2 minutes per person per day will save you hundreds of dollars.

Research has not built a consensus whether it is men or women that spend longer in the shower, although day-dreaming and general skin-care regimes are the most common contributors to extended showering.

Low Energy Water Heaters

High Efficiency Gas/Electric: Designed to more effectively use and retain heat than conventional systems, therefore reducing energy use.

Heat Pumps: Similar to your A/C, but warms water rather than air. These are very efficient as they just transfer thermal energy rather than creating it.

Solar Water Heaters: Plates or tubes on your roof use the Sun’s energy to heat your water. Solar water heaters are environmentally friendly and have significant energy savings.