climateXchange

Post edited 2:38 am – August 18, 2010 by John Symond

This summer I turned off my hot water system.

I felt with my hand that it was giving off some heat and therefore heating my flat slightly, and in the process wasting electricity. 

I had been comparing electricity bills with a friend who was doing better than me, and still is. She had turned her water heater off already. When I got over the shock, I thought, 'I could do that'. She swims every day and had decided she could easily switch off. (Turns it on when the kids come). 

For me it meant cold showers. Its a great way to enforce having short showers. I made a surprising discovery: the cold water reaches my flat up through the cavity of a sun-soaked wall, and by midday it was possible to get one minute's hot water for a shower. So – get wet in cold water – does not take long; rinse off in mostly warm water. Problem solved. 

Now we are waiting to see who will be the first to crack, as winter approaches…

Water for dishwashing, shaving etc. can be economically produced with an electric kettle. Just a little bit more inconvenient, but better for the environment – both for energy and water conservation.

Post edited 4:26 am – August 18, 2010 by marea

Hi John,

Does that mean you have been having cold showers all through winter!!??!!

What's the problem with using hot water if people have solar hot water systems, solar panels or buy green power?