Water Heating
Water Heating Accounts for About 18% of Your Home's Energy Use
Upgrading to a more efficient water heater or adjusting how you use hot water can produce meaningful savings. Options range from simple behavior changes to high-efficiency heat pump water heaters and solar water heating systems. Several Maryland programs offer rebates and financing for qualifying upgrades.
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Before investing in a new system, these no-cost and low-cost steps can reduce your water heating bills immediately. Set your water heater temperature to 120°F — higher settings increase energy use and the risk of scalding. Take shorter showers, as reducing shower time by just two minutes can save several gallons of hot water per day. Fix leaky faucets promptly, since a dripping hot water faucet wastes both water and the energy used to heat it. Insulate your hot water pipes to reduce heat loss between the heater and your faucets. Run your dishwasher and washing machine with cold water whenever possible.
When it is time to replace your water heater, choosing an efficient model can produce significant long-term savings. Heat pump water heaters use electricity to move heat rather than generate it, making them two to three times more efficient than conventional electric water heaters. Tankless water heaters heat water on demand rather than maintaining a hot tank, reducing standby energy losses. Solar water heating systems use sunlight to heat water, with a backup heat source for cloudy days.
Several Maryland programs offer financial help for water heater upgrades. EmPOWER Maryland utility rebates are available for qualifying high-efficiency water heaters including heat pump water heaters. Federal tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act cover up to 30% of the cost of qualifying heat pump water heaters. The CEA Loan Program offers 0% APR financing for the first 24 months on qualifying water heating upgrades. The Solar Water Heater Grant is available through some Maryland counties for eligible installations.
Not Sure What Upgrade Makes Sense for Your Home?
A home energy audit can identify the water heating and other improvements that will have the biggest impact on your energy costs.