For many, staying warm in the winter is a top priority, but plenty of people fail to realize that their methods of staying warm may not actually be the most efficient. You may not realize it, but your home’s water heater is likely set too high. No, we aren’t suggesting you take cold showers, just that you turn things down a couple of notches to save yourself some money and reduce your energy usage.

A typical residential water heater is usually set to around 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Turn your water heater down by 20 degrees, and you will likely see no difference in warmth, but a serious difference in your energy bill.

Did you know…

• Heating water typically accounts for 18% of a home’s total energy consumption
• You can save 3-5% on your heating bill for every 10-degree decrease