Behind heating & cooling, water heating is the next biggest energy consumer in the typical home, about 20%. Being such a sizable portion of a home’s total, there is plenty of room for savings. If your water heater is less than 15 years old you will probably be better off by utilizing water saving technologies and behaviors.

Low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators, shorter showers and washing clothes in cold water will cost very little to implement, but save hundreds of dollars each year on your water and energy bills. Since that is not the emphasis of this guide, we’ll write about that in another paper to be published soon.

Check out the buyer’s guide