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Hot water savings

The average Ontario family spends over $580 to heat their water per year

Your water heater uses the second-largest amount of energy in your home. See our tips below to learn how to improve energy efficiency and save more on energy consumption.

In addition to the tips below, visit the Energy Hub for additional tips and tricks and explore energy saving resources for your home.

Visit the Energy Hub
Father loading dishwasher with child in arm

Easy no-cost & low-cost hot water savings tips

Start with these simple changes and, when it’s time for a replacement, use our shopping guide to help take savings to the next level.


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Fix leaky taps

Leaky taps can waste up to 75 litres per week. A new rubber washer part costs about 25 cents at your local retailer and can be installed immediately.
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Install faucet aerators

Aerators reduce water consumption by up to 50%. Your local retailer has a selection of models that you can install easily yourself.
bathroom-shower

Shorter showers for savings

A typical bath uses about 75 litres of hot water, while a five-minute shower with a low-flow showerhead uses less than half of that amount.
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Laundry efficiency

Wash everything in cold water: it protects fabrics from fading and shrinking and can save enough energy for 220 showers per year.

Dishwasher savings

Run full loads, using a shorter (eco) wash cycle while air drying, to save up to 50% of energy usage.
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Appliance lifespan

Your laundry machine and dishwasher should be replaced on average every 11 years, with a more efficient model to save you energy in the long run.

Soak up the savings

Try these inexpensive projects for significant hot water savings and get the best value for
your investment with our buying tips.

Is your current showerhead actually energy efficient?

Try this simple flow test: Open an empty 2 litre cardboard milk carton and hold it up to the shower while it’s fully on. If it fills in less than 10 seconds, it is not energy efficient, and you should consider replacing it to save you more.

Install a new energy efficient showerhead

  • The costs from replacing your showerhead usually result in energy savings in less than one year after installation. Look for features likespray adjustments, spray pattern and coverage, forcefulness, quiet operation and ease of cleaning
  • This can reduce hot water use by up to 30% and can save over 28,000 litres per year
  • Taking shorter showers can save both energy and water. Two people could save over $30 per year by shortening their shower by only one minute each

Keep the insulating tank cover clear

  • Be sure to keep the insulating tank cover clear of the air inlet for burners and the temperature controls
  • If you rent a hot water tank, check the rental agreement and consult your retailer before making any changes

Insulate your pipes

  • Insulate at least the few metres of pipe leading to and from the hot water tank with tape wrap or snap-on foam pipe tubing
  • If your hot water pipes run through sections of your home that aren’t heated, insulate them too
  • Plastic pipes should not be wrapped, the extra heat might soften them

Shopping for a new dishwasher or washing machine?

  • Save more by researching brands and reading the EnerGuide label to discover the best energy efficient model for your needs. The lower the kWh rating, the better the efficiency
  • Appliances may last years, but the cost to run them each year can add up to more than the initial purchase price. Use the EnerGuide label to shop energy efficient appliances and save you more in the long run
Water flowing out of tap

Understand the EnerGuide label to help with your shopping decisions

Energuide label for standby loss on electric storage tank water heaters. Example is 101 watts.

Understanding EnerGuide labels before shopping for appliances can save you energy and money, making your home safer and more comfortable.

1

Be sure to review the EnerGuide label on your water heater before purchasing. This number estimates the annual energy consumption of the appliance in watts, andthe lower the number, the higher your savings.

2

The bar below shows how a model compares to other models and the indicator gives the energy-efficiency range for the class. The further the indicator is to the left end of the scale, the better.

3

This bar shows the energy consumption of the most and least efficient water heaters in this class. In this case, the most efficient comparable model uses 25 W in standby, while the least efficient uses 181 W in standby.

Appliance savings

Household appliances make life easier, but the cost of operating them account for more than 15% of your electricity bill

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