Photograph by Jeff Morgan / Alamy
Usage Tips
The best way to shrink the environmental footprint made by heating water is simply to heat less water. But there are some simple ways to reduce the impact of the water you do heat.
- Turn down the heat. Try lowering the thermostat on your water heater. You might not even notice the difference. The Department of Energy recommends a setting of 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The lower you go, the less work your heater will have to do and the less fuel you’ll burn. Each 10 degrees Fahrenheit on the dial could save 3 to 5 percent on fuel use, emissions, and utility costs.
- Wrap it up. Insulating your water heater’s tank—as well as the first 6 feet or so of its connecting pipes—can help keep your water warm far longer. That means your heater can fire up less frequently.
More Buying Guides
-
Air Conditioner Buying Guide
If your current air conditioner is more than eight years old, it's time for a new one.
-
Bike Buying Guide
Bicycles are green machines: They don’t consume fossil fuels or produce air pollution.
-
Car Buying Guide
Buying a green car is one way to help the environment but the process doesn’t end when you drive off the dealer’s lot.
More Buying Guides
Environment Photos
Shop National Geographic
Advertisement
What's Your Water Footprint?
-
5 Hot Green Jobs
Companies go beyond the hype to offer actual positions.
The Great Energy Challenge
-
Light Bulb Savings Calculator
How much can you save yourself, and the world, by switching to more efficient bulbs?
-
The Global Electricity Mix
An interactive view of how regions and countries around the world generate their power.
-
Quiz: What You Don't Know About Nature's Forces of Energy
You've seen the havoc that nature can wreak, but have you ever considered how much energy is generated by hurricanes, volcanoes, or lightning?
Special Ad Section
The World's Water
-
Water for a Thirsty World
Safeguarding one of the world's most important resources.
-
Visualizing Our Global Water Footprint
You might be surprised to see how the daily choices you make affect critical watersheds around the world.
