Ready to save some energy and $? Water heating accounts for roughly 19 percent of home energy bills so let’s make sure our water heaters are as efficient as possible with this easy checklist.

• Turn your water heater off or down when you’re on vacation.
• Set temperature to no higher than 120ºF.
• Insulate your heater. When you touch your heater tank is it hot? If so, it needs a blanket. Installing insulation costs about $30 and takes only 1.5 hours. See easy instructions here.
• Insulate all accessible hot water pipes, especially within 3 feet of the water heater.

Now, who is ready for a long hot soak?