heater and its venting system for any problems.
• Homeowners can also do their own inspections by checking for rust or corrosion on the vents or the appliance. A
properly adjusted natural gas burner will look like the familiar blue flame. An orange or yellow flame indicates improper
combustion, and the appliance should be checked by a qualified technician.
Reducing Water Heater Operating Costs
• Repair leaky hot water faucets and pipes. One drop per second from a leaky faucet can cost $1 per month,
according to DOE, and the leak can usually be repaired easily.
• Install water flow restrictors in your showerheads. Older showerheads deliver from 4 to 5 gallons of water per minute.
Current federal regulations require a flow rate of 2.5 gallons per minute. DOE estimates a 30 percent reduction in hot
water use with a low-flow showerhead.
• Use warm or cold water to wash clothing, unless it’s heavily soiled, and use cold water for the rinse cycle.
• Run the dishwasher and washing machine only when you have full loads.
• Take short showers rather than baths.
• Don’t run hot water continuously when washing your face or shaving.
• Use the cold water faucet when just a little water is needed. If you use the hot water tap, the small amount of hot
water drawn into the cold pipes never reaches the faucet and heat is wasted.
• If your dishwasher has a "booster" heater for its water supply, you can use it and set your water heater temperature at
120 degrees F. T h a t ’s hot enough for all other household uses. For each 10 degrees you reduce the temperature
setting, you’ll reduce energy use by 3 to 5 percent, according to DOE.
• If you have an older water heater in a cold area, you can save money and energy by installing a fiberglass insulation
jacket around your water heater and the water pipes. Don’t cover air inlets, valves, faucets, controls or pipes at the
bottom or at the top near the exhaust vent. Follow the manufacturer's installation instructions.
Safety Ti p s
Temperature Settings
Water heaters are shipped with the temperature setting at its lowest point, usually 120 degrees F. Keeping the
temperature at 120 degrees F will save energy and reduce the risk of hot water burns.
H o w e v e r, manufacturers of dishwashing equipment usually recommend a water temperature of 140 degrees
F for best results. If you have a "booster" heater on your dishwasher, you can lower the water heater temperature.
Otherwise, it is not recommended.
To avoid the potential for hot water scalding, you also can install special valves that will send 140 degree water
to the dishwasher, and mix tap water with hot water to reduce the temperature of water going to bathrooms and sinks.
To check your water temperature, let the hot water run for 3 to 5 minutes from a bathtub faucet. Check the
water temperature with a reliable candy or meat thermometer. Repeat the test in the kitchen and other bathrooms in the
home. Adjust your water heater thermostat if necessary.
If you have small children in the home, you might want to consider installing safety shut-off devices on individ-
ual faucets. These devices stop the flow of water below the point where scalding burns can occur.
Flammable Va p o r s
Flammable liquids like gasoline and turpentine will ignite from any open flame, including a water heater pilot
light or other types of ignition. Vapors from these flammable products can travel invisibly to a source of ignition.
Flammable liquids should never be used in an enclosed area such as a basement or garage, and should never be
stored near appliances.
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