2-26-2017

When we think about saving energy, we tend to think about electronics, heat, and gasoline. But running water uses energy, too. According to Energy Upgrade California, running hot water for just 5 minutes uses as much electricity as leaving a 60-watt lightbulb on for more than 14 hours. This adds up quickly. Home Water Works reports that 15 percent of all household energy is spent heating water.

So the next time you’re brushing your teeth, washing dishes or taking a hot shower, be conscious of what water you really need, and what water you don’t. When we run tap water, it’s not only the water we’re consuming. It’s also all the resources that are needed to pump the water to our homes, heat it, and sanitize it afterwards. Simply being aware of this can help you strategize how to use less.

For additional water conservation information, please visit the Municipal Utilities Department Water Conservation page. For tips on saving water, check out the EPA’s WaterSense or eartheasy.com. Read more about your home’s biggest energy hogs here.