Eleven - Turn Down Your Hot Water Heater

Easy! Saves energy! Saves the environment! Saves money! Saves possible burns! According to the EPA, turning down the thermostat to 120F will save 6-10% of energy costs and slows the mineral buildup and corrosion in your water heater and pipes. Most manufacturers set the thermostat at around 140 degrees, but it is not necessary for the average family. Turn the knob to 120 degrees (low - medium in our case).

Also, turning down your hot water heater could save you (and more importantly, small children) from terrible burns. The water label on our heater downstairs has time/temperature ratios listed for third degree burns:

1 second at 160F

5 seconds at 140F (and to think that's where most of our hot water heaters are at!)

30 seconds at 130F

5 minutes at 120F

Peace!