Keeping Cool: Energy-Efficient Tips for Summer Plumbing and Hot Water Use

Step one: Review your hot water temperature

During the winter months, your hot water temperature might need to be a little higher to help you feel the warmth. Colder air and cold pipes will mean greater heat loss, which could impact the comfort level.

In the summer, your heating system won’t have to work as hard to generate a comfortable temperature. You might even find that your hot water is coming out of the tap a little too hot in the summer, which could be a sign of wasted energy.

During the summer months, consider turning down your hot water thermostat temperature to ensure your heating system only heats it to a sensible temperature. In the middle of a heat wave, for example, you’re unlikely to have a huge demand for hot water.

Step two: check for leaks

Changes in temperature could lead to expansion and retraction of your pipes, which leaves the system more vulnerable to leaks. After switching off your central heating for the summer, make sure you check around your home for signs of leaks.

During the summer months, your water consumption might be more under the spotlight due to droughts and bans on excess water usage. You can do your part by ensuring you don’t have any leaks in your home.

Step three: book your boiler service

The summer is the best time for a boiler service, as plumbers typically have much more availability as they aren’t responding to emergency boiler breakdowns. Your central heating system might have small issues in the system that need to be addressed before you power it up again next winter.

By booking your service for the summer months, you can anticipate problems and get ahead of them so you aren’t left in the cold when winter arrives.

Step four: keep showers short

In the summer months, your largest energy drain is going to be hot water for your shower. You can save money and make your home more efficient by making your showers shorter and dropping the temperature. Cooler showers will also help you to save on keeping your body temperature down, so you won’t have to invest in things like expensive air conditioning units.

Final thoughts on making your home more efficient this summer

There are lots of steps you can take to drive down energy consumption, lower your bills and make your home as comfortable as possible in the summer months. By reducing your hot water usage, you will not only enjoy lower bills, but you’ll also make your home more comfortable.

Start by turning down your water temperature, and then look for opportunities where you can use cold water instead of hot water. Finally, make sure that your boiler is working as efficiently as possible, while also checking your home for unexpected leaks.

It’s also a good idea to review your insulation in the summer so that you can wait for as long as possible before you have to switch the heating on next winter.