I fixed my water temperature using two tools and didn’t even need a plumber – my easy trick to save $400 on energy bills
A TIKTOKER shared a do-it-yourself tip for adjusting the water temperature at her home.
The joy and relaxation that a hot shower brings is a universal feeling.
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There aren’t many things that are as satisfying or as frustrating when you can’t get the temperature right.
Such was the case with Tay (@taybeepboop), whose shower didn’t get hot enough for her.
“I’ve moved to a new house and the shower only gets lukewarm. I can’t live like this,” she said in a TikTok video.
“I need a boiling hot shower.”
To further confuse the issue, the sink in her bathroom spurted out very hot water very quickly.
Instead of calling a plumber, she watched “three YouTube videos” and learned how to regulate the water temperature in her shower herself.
Tay used a hair clip and a screwdriver to complete the project, which took less than two minutes.
In the shower, she used the hair clip to open the front part of the button that turns on the shower.
After it came loose, she used the screwdriver to remove the rest of the button.
She unveiled the adjustable hot water limiter, which controls how hot the water can get.
All she had to do was turn it counterclockwise to increase the temperature.
If the shower is way too hot, the knob can be turned the other way to lower the maximum temperature.
According to the US Department of Energy (DOE), people could save up to $400 a year by completing this task at a water heater instead of just in the shower.
Appliances like the dishwasher and washing machine that also use hot water can skyrocket your electricity bill if the water temperature is set too high.
The DOE recommends marking the original temperature on the hot water gauge before setting it.
After a few hours, check the water temperature at the faucet farthest from the water heater to see if it’s what you want.
Finally, mark the new temperature on the gauge so you can make adjustments later if needed.
More money-saving tips
According to a Bank of America report, US energy prices rose about 16 percent from August 2021 to 2022.
Many families are wondering what they can do to reduce costs.
TikToker Nicole B (@texas_hippiee) shared how she reduced her energy bills by $100. Her monthly bill went from $275 to $175.
The first thing she did was open her curtains to let in natural light instead of turning on the light bulbs or lamps in the ceiling.
Nicole recommended raising the blinds rather than opening them all the way to reduce the amount of heat entering the home.
She also began unplugging devices when not in use.
Even when turned off, the devices still use so-called “vampire energy,” which can add up to $165 to electricity bills annually.
Things like computers, chargers, coffee makers, toaster ovens, and microwaves can all add to the cost of vampire energy.
Nicole keeps her thermostat set between 76 and 77 degrees. It’s higher than she normally sets, but it keeps the AC from working harder.
Everyone’s “Goldilocks” temperature is different, but the US Department of Energy recommends turning the thermostat back to between seven and ten degrees during the winter and summer months.
Nicole’s last tip was to use cold water when doing laundry.
According to GE, between 75 and 90 percent of the energy used by a washing machine is used to heat the water.
If you opt for a cold wash instead, you’ll save money on every load of laundry.
Another way to reduce your electric bill is with this easy-to-install switch.
Meanwhile, millions of Americans have been hit with an automatic surcharge by popular utility Con Edison.