Plumbing, Heating And Cooling Improvements

February 5, 2010
Christopher Musial

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The systems that convey your water and conditioned air are prime targets for cost savings. Consider these options for making them more efficient.

Water heater savings. There are two simple ways to save energy on your water heater: wrap it in an insulating blanket if it is an old uninsulated model and turn down the temperature to 120 degrees F. Also try wrapping the hot-water pipes to prevent heat loss in the plumbing itself. You can save more energy by buying a new superinsulated water heater or installing point-of-use  water heaters in key locations in the house. Point-of-use water heaters heat water as it is being used, as opposed to maintaining a reservoir tank of hot water. Common in Europe and Asia, point-of-use heaters are becoming popular in the US.

Replacing the heating system. Replacing an old furnace with a new energy-efficient model almost certainly will cut your energy consumption especially if your existing furnace is in poor condition, consumes a lot of fuel and requires frequent repairs. But if your furnace still functions reasonably well, your savings in fuel bills could be negated by the expense of the replacement. Before replacing your old furnace with a new unit, have it checked by a service technician. If the firebox is sound and in good operating order, you may want to consider simply having the furnace serviced and any problems repaired.