<span style="font-weight: bold;">Why Act</span>? <br />
You probably don't think about your water heater unless your shower turns cold. Your water heater, however, represents about 20% of the CO2 emissions of your home. If your heater was designed before 1989, there is much room for improving its efficiency. This action will help you heat water and not the surrounding air.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Savings:</span><br />
For setting your water heater temperature to no more than 120 degrees (or &quot;Warm&quot;), you will save 150 pounds of CO2 a year.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">CO2 Reduction Actions:</span><br />
<ul>
    <li>Set your water heater temperature to no more than 120 degrees (or &quot;Warm&quot;).</li>
    <li>Turn the setting to &quot;Vacation&quot; or &quot;Pilot&quot; when you go on a trip.</li>
    <li>If your water heater was made before 1989, think about replacing it.</li>
    <li>Consider moving to an &quot;Indirect&quot; or &quot;tankless&quot; water heating system, which costs more up front but only heats the water you actually use and thus saves you money in the future.</li>
    <li>Consider getting a solar hot water system. Even in New England, you can heat up to about 75% of your water without using any fossil fuel this way.</li>
    <li>Insulate at least the first 5-7 feet of your hot water pipes with foam sleeves.</li>
    <li>Make sure your water heater gets a tuneup when it needs one.</li>
    <li>If you have an electric water heater that was made before 1989, install an insulating blanket to help it retain heat. (Do NOT install an insulating blanket on a gas water heater.)</li>
</ul>