Heat water efficiently
The water heater uses a large amount of energy in most homes. The average household spends about $15-20 per month to heat water. There are a number of things you can do to conserve energy and trim your water heating costs.
- Use less hot water
- Install water-conserving showerheads and faucet aerators
- Repair leaky faucets immediately
- Wash only full loads in your washer, using cold water whenever possible
- Adjust the water level on your washing machine to match the load size
- Avoid pre-rinsing dishes before putting them in the dishwasher
- Run your dishwasher instead of hand washing; it uses a third less water
- Use the energy-saving cycle
- Adjust the temperature on your water heater; lower the hot water thermostat to 120 degrees
Consider buying a new water heating system
The average life of a standard electric water heater is about ten years. If you're in the market for a new one, here are some things to consider when shopping around.
- Efficiency - Higher efficiency water heaters may cost more up front, but they will save you money over time because they use less electricity to operate.
- Size - Assess your family's present and future hot water needs and purchase a water heater to match your family's size based on the chart below.
Family Size |
Heater Size |
2 people |
30-gallon |
3 people |
40-gallon |
4 people |
50-gallon |
5 people |
80-gallon |
- Comparison - Look at the EnergyGuide labels on the units you are considering. Compare operating costs and operating efficiency.
While there are many benefits to tankless water heaters, it’s important to be aware of the potential additional electric costs to support this equipment. Tankless water heaters require a large electric demand to run and some homes or apartments may not have the correct electric equipment in place to support the heater. It might be necessary to upgrade the electrical facilities in your home, as well as the FPL equipment outside your home. Please know that the costs of these upgrades must be paid by the customer (FAC 25-6.064 or FPL’s electric service standards section 10). If you are unsure of the electric equipment required to install the water heater, please contact FPL’s engineering department before purchasing.
