Adjust these to the same level to prevent one element from doing all the work and wearing out prematurely. For electric water heaters, install a timer that can automatically turn the hot water off at night and on in the morning. Install a heat trap above the water heater. A heat trap is a simple piping arrangement that prevents hot water from rising up in the pipes, thereby minimizing standby losses. Drain a quart of water from your hot water tank every 3 months to remove sediment that prevents heat transfer and lowers the unit's efficiency.
Baths use the most hot water in an average household.
You use 15 to 25 gallons of hot water for a bath and less than 10 gallons for a 5-minute shower. This publication is a part of the Sustainable Housing and Environment Series , published by Mississippi State University Extension Service. For other publications in this series, contact your county Extension Office. By Dr. Frances G. Graham, Extension Housing Specialist, School of Human Sciences Mississippi State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran status. Publication 2248 Extension Service of Mississippi State University, cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture .