Did you know that heating the water in your vacation home can equal up to 25% of your total energy costs?  While you can't control the number of showers that your guests take, you can do a few things to cut your overall heating costs.

• Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120 degrees.  It will still be plenty hot to wash clothes, dishes, and muddy toddlers—and your guests will never know the difference.
• Wrap insulation around the first six feet of pipes connected to your water heater.  Think of this insulation as your pipes' thermal underwear: It keeps the heat in and protects it from the elements. 
• Insulate the water storage tank.  But be sure to leave the thermostat and burner compartment uncovered, along with the top and bottom of the tank.

• To improve the efficiency of your water heater, drain a quart of water from your water tank once a season.  This will remove the sediment in the tank and enhance the heat-transfer process. • Turn off the hot water system when your house is not rented.  Just be sure to turn it back on before your next guests arrive or you'll have some unhappy (and uncomfortable) renters. • Buy a cover for your swimming pool or outdoor hot tub.  The steam rising off the water may look pretty, but then again, so does an affordable heating bill. • Consider replacing your regular pool heater with a solar heating system.

*As always, please read your owner's manual before taking on any task that you're not professionally licensed to do.  And if you feel unsure about what you're doing, DON'T do it.  Call a professional—it will be worth the money in the long run because it costs a lot more to fix a mistake than to get it right the first time.

© Copyright 2006 HomeAway, Inc.

Going Green at Your Vacation Home, Part 1    Easy tips for saving money and helping the environment while maintaining your vacation rental property.

20 Steps to a Greener Vacation Home    Ways to create a better indoor environment for you family and guests, lower your energy bills, and help the environment.

Going Green at Your Vacation Home, Part 2    Learn how to help your renters be environmentally conscious while staying at your vacation property.

How to Decrease Your Electricty Bill by Lowering Appliance Costs    Learn how to lower the cost to power your refrigerator, washer, dryer, and dishwasher.

Decreasing the Heating and Cooling Costs at Your Second Home    Make sure that you're not losing unnecessary cold air, heat, and money at your condo or cabin.