Whether you are building a new home, making improvements to an older home or looking for ways to save money in your current home, Georgia Power is here to help. Water heating is the second largest energy user in your home, and it can regularly account for up to 19 percent of your home’s total energy consumption. As a homeowner, there are simple things you can do to help save money and energy when it comes to your water heater. Even these little steps can add up to big savings:

• Adjust the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees or lower. This is plenty warm for your household appliances but isn’t overheating the water.
• Run your dishwasher only when it’s full. Most of the energy used when washing dishes comes from the energy required to heat the water, so running it only when it’s full will reduce the number of times you have to use it.
• The same idea holds true for your clothes washer – only wash your clothes once you have a full load.
• Insulate your water heater with a water heater jacket. This can help reduce the amount of heat that is lost by the water while it’s being stored in the tank. However, be sure to check your manufacturer’s warranty before placing a jacket on your heater.

Taking these simple steps can ensure that you will save energy and money in your home. For more ways to save, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com/Save.

If you are currently searching for a new home in Atlanta, be sure to ask your real estate professional to show you Georgia Power EarthCents new homes, which are built with both comfort and energy savings in mind.