cardinalrules asked:


a friend recently told us that he turns the water heater in his home off in the late morning, after taking a shower, and turns it back on early morning, about an hour before he showers. does this actually save energy/money? will doing this damage the water heater?

i know people turn water heaters off during extended periods of time (e.g. vacations), but is the day-to-day solution a good one?

yourplace

digitaldog88 asked:


With winter coming up soon, here in the midwest, I am going to ask the question: Does Setting Back the Thermostat in the Winter Really Save Energy?

According to the DOE and EnergyStar, it does. But I, and others, disagree to a point. That point being, “doesn’t it take MORE energy to REWARM the house back to the COMFORT TEMP when you’re home?” So in other words, does it take more energy to bring the temperature from 62 to 68, for example, rather than maintaining the temperature at 68 the entire time when the house is vacant?

I need solid proof energy is saved with the EnergyStar compliant thermostats, not just what the websites say. If anyone has any experience or tests, I would like to hear what they have to say. Thanks!
Good answers so far. But my question, originally, is in reference to the SET-BACK type thermostats that automatically reduce the temperature when away, and bring it back up when you come home. In the summer, yes, it is best to SET AND LEAVE the temperature at one setting, but should I (or we) do the same for the winter? Does the SET BACK method REALLY work?

t4systems