Chapter 24 Energy Conservation
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going down the drain while waiting for hot
water to arrive. Some companies produce a
product that is mounted under the sink that
produces instant hot water when the faucet is
opened. These units eliminate wasted energy.
A recirculating pump can also be used
so that the cold water is not wasted. When
hot water is turned on, but before the water
fl owing is hot, a recirculating pump returns
the cold water to the hot water heater. This
helps to conserve a fair amount of water.
Adding extra insulation to the outside of a hot
water heater can also conserve energy because
it allows less of the heat to escape so the heater
runs less frequently, Figure 24-3.
When choosing a hot water heater, select
one with a high effi ciency rating. All hot
water heaters are rated, and the energy rating
is attached to the heater. A water heater may
be compared to other similar models. For
Figure 24-2. Using motion sensors for the lights
that are outside of your house can help conserve
energy.
Figure 24-1. The U.S. Department of Energy now requires all lightbulb manufacturers to use a label to
show various facts about a bulb’s energy effi ciency.