Yes, this is energy related, very directly in my case. My household water comes from a well, and every drop of water that I use in the house has to be pumped out of the ground by an electrically operated pump; therefore, the less water I use, the less the pump has to operate, and the less electricity is used. (This is true for municipal water users too – there’s a lot of electricity involved in providing potable water to a city and treating the wastewater.)

This past summer I replaced my bathroom faucets with low-flow faucets (kitchen yet to be done). The showerheads are also low flow, as are the toilets, which were replaced years ago, which helps reduce water (and electricity) used. I also try to remember to turn the water off while I’m washing my hands or brushing my teeth and not directly using the water. [More]

2011 proved to be another successful year for consumers wanting to save money and energy at home. The Energy Savers website continues to be a great resource for readers interested in learning more about energy efficiency and tips for saving money and energy at home and on the road—and ways to use renewable energy.

Here’s a look at the past year’s 10 most popular Web pages:

10. Demand (Tankless or Instantaneous) Water Heaters

Demand (tankless or instantaneous) water heaters provide hot water only as it is needed. They don't produce the standby energy losses associated with storage water heaters, which can save you money. Here you'll find basic information about how they work, whether a demand water heater might be right for your home, and what criteria to use when selecting the right model. [More]

We are always talking about preparing our homes for energy efficiency and taking the right steps to decrease our carbon footprints as homeowners and renters. I realized today that it’s already the middle of November, meaning it’s time to begin preparing for holiday vacations. I can’t think of a better time than now to revisit the ways we can save money on our energy bills this holiday season. In my household, there will be about seven consecutive days in December when no one will be home, not even the dog. Aside from the usual preparations, such as clothing and gift shopping, packing and meal planning, it’s necessary (and wise) to think about giving yourself the ultimate gift this year: a lower energy bill. There are many ways to maximize energy savings while your home is vacant. [More]

I'm sure you've noticed the change in seasons by now. Fall brings cooler weather, and with it my thoughts turn to warm things like putting blankets on the couch, enjoying my fireplace, and adjusting my thermostat (as little as possible, of course).

One thing we did over the weekend is we insulated our water heater. Depending on how efficient your water heater tank is, adding insulation can reduce standby heat losses by 25%–45% and save you around 4%–9% in water heating costs. Since water heating contributes an average of 18% to the typical home utility bill, it's definitely worth it to add insulation! The package I bought was under $25, and it only took my husband and me about 15 minutes to install it. [More]

A couple of weeks ago the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Ad Council launched a national education campaign to help consumers save money on utility bills. Videos, tips, an “energy savings IQ” quiz, and a photo gallery on Facebook—as well as videos posted on You Tube—are designed to save money by saving energy.

While this idea isn’t new to Energy Savers, the concept is gaining ground as more and more people realize how easy it is. [More]

This week, Elizabeth told you about her unfortunate experience with burst pipes this winter. These accidents always seem to happen at the most inconvenient times and can be a real mess to fix and clean up. But there are a few things you can do to prevent them—namely, check your pipes and be sure they are insulated, especially if they are located in cold areas of your home. In addition, insulating your hot water pipes can help you save money and energy on water heating.

What have you done to ensure your water pipes are efficient and safe?

Each Thursday, you have the chance to share your thoughts on a question about energy efficiency or renewable energy for consumers. Please comment with your answers, and also feel free to respond to other comments. [More]