How to Cut Energy Costs in Your Wichita Home

Between groceries, insurance, and housing, it feels like everything costs more than it did a few years ago, and your utility bills are no exception. Energy and water are expenses you can't skip, which makes them one of the few parts of your budget where you can still make a real difference. The good news is that you don't need a major remodel to do it. A handful of plumbing upgrades and habit changes, from the temperature on your water heater to the toilet that keeps running, can trim both your energy and water bills. Here's where to start, plus local resources and rebates that can help along the way.

Water heating is one of the biggest energy expenses in a home. The Department of Energy puts it at about 18 percent of an average family's utility bill. Add your water bill, and your plumbing is one of the best places to save. Start with two free habits: take shorter showers, and run the dishwasher with a full load instead of washing by hand. Then work through the upgrades below.

1. Lower Your Water Heater Temperature to 120°F

Kansas Gas Service and Evergy both recommend reducing water heater temperature as a major way to save. Evergy says that lowering the setting from 140 degrees to 120 could reduce your water heating energy bill by more than 10 percent. It's a free change that takes a few minutes.

Two cautions:

• A dishwasher without an internal booster heater may need hotter water to clean well, so check your dishwasher's manual first. You’ll want the temp to reach 150°F to sanitize
• If someone in your home has a suppressed immune system or chronic illness, ask their doctor before lowering the temperature

We don't recommend going below 120°F, because water that is too cool can let bacteria grow in the tank. To check your temperature you can run the tap closest to your water heater for 2-3 minutes, then measure the temperature of the water. If you ever want assistance with adjusting your temperature, our technicians are happy to help you with it during your annual inspection!

2. Insulate Pipes in Your Crawlspace and Basement

Hot water loses heat as it travels through pipes, especially in unheated spaces like crawlspaces and basements. Foam pipe sleeves are inexpensive, and insulated pipes help hot water reach the faucet warmer and faster, so you waste less water waiting for it to heat up.

Start with the first few feet of hot water pipe nearest the water heater, then work outward to any accessible pipes in unheated areas. Insulation also adds some protection in Wichita winters, though it won't make pipes freezeproof. If you have a gas water heater, keep insulation clear of the flue and follow the manufacturer's guidance. When in doubt, we're happy to take a look.

3. Install Low-Flow Fixtures

Showering accounts for nearly 17 percent of residential indoor water use, which adds up to nearly 40 gallons per day for the average family. Standard showerheads use 2.5 gallons per minute, while WaterSense labeled showerheads must use no more than 2.0. The EPA says the average family could save 2,700 gallons per year with WaterSense showerheads, and because that reduces demand on the water heater, more than 330 kilowatt hours of electricity annually. 

See the EPA's WaterSense showerhead page for details and how to find labeled models.

4. Switch to Energy Efficient Toilets

Toilets account for nearly 30 percent of an average home's indoor water use, and older toilets can use as much as 6 gallons per flush. WaterSense labeled toilets use 1.28 gallons per flush or less, which is 20 percent less than the federal standard of 1.6 gallons, and they are independently certified for performance. The EPA estimates that replacing old toilets with WaterSense models can reduce toilet water use by 20 to 60 percent, saving nearly 13,000 gallons and more than $170 a year for the average family. Learn more on the EPA's page on WaterSense toilets.

5. Fix Running Toilets

A toilet that keeps running is one of the most common hidden water wasters. Household leaks can waste 180 gallons per week, toilets are often the culprit, and most toilet leaks come from old or worn-out flappers. A flapper is an inexpensive part, and replacing one is quick and easy.

To check for a silent leak, add a few drops of food coloring to the tank and wait 10 to 15 minutes without flushing. If color shows up in the bowl, you have a leak. If a new flapper doesn't solve it, give us a call.

6. Consider a Tankless Water Heater

Tankless units heat water only when it's needed. When it’s time to replace your water heater, a tankless unit can save you up to 10 percent in energy, compared to standard water heaters. Over its lifetime, a tankless water heater can save your family hundreds of dollars on energy use. 

Tankless models are rated by how many gallons of hot water they produce per minute, so the more likely you are to run the shower, dishwasher, and clothes washer at once, the larger the capacity you'll need. That’s why our Wichita plumbers do more than swap a unit: 

We check your capacity. We assess your home's gas line capacity or electrical panel as part of every tankless installation to make sure the unit performs at its rated output. 

We make sure it's vented properly. Because of their high-powered burners, tankless heaters need to be installed in a well-vented space for safe operation. 

We keep it running. Tankless heaters can last up to 20 years but need to be maintained at least once a year. We offer maintenance plans to fit your budget and needs. 

7. Flush Your Water Heater Every Year

Wichita is notorious for hard water, and that can impact the efficiency of your water heater significantly. Minerals and sediment settle at the bottom of a tank water heater over time. That buildup can reduce efficiency, cause corrosion, and shorten the life of the unit. An annual flush is important maintenance for both tank and tankless water heaters in Wichita. Water heater tune-ups are included for our Ben Franklin Society™ members.

Rebates and Free Resources for Your Wichita Plumbing Upgrades

Programs change often, so confirm current offers before you buy.

City of Wichita water rebates

Wichita water customers may be able to get money back on high-efficiency toilets, toilet repair kits, and other water-saving upgrades. See our guide to the City of Wichita's 2026 water rebate program for how to apply.

Kansas Gas Service free water kit

Kansas Gas Service offers residential customers a free water conservation kit while supplies last, limited to one kit per eligible account each calendar year. It includes two WaterSense bathroom faucet attachments, a kitchen swivel faucet attachment, a low-flow showerhead, and plumbing tape. You can request a free water kit on the Kansas Gas Service website. If you'd rather have a pro handle the install, give us a call.

ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder

Enter your zip code at the ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder to see whether rebates are available on certified water heaters and other products.

Talk to Wichita's Local Plumbing Experts

You want to save money without cutting corners on safety. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing hires plumbers who are invested in finding the right solution at a fair price. Our Ben Franklin Society™ members get annual safety inspections, leak checks, and water heater tune-ups so small issues get caught before they become big ones.

Call (316)768-8374 or request an appointment online today.