apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Just be careful about how low you put your water heater. Water has to be a certain temperature (I'm not sure whether it is 120 degrees or 140 degrees) to kill bacteria in the tank.

I've discovered this GREAT invention called LOTION. I'm refuse to give up my hot showers....this green thing is about to cross a line lol..

I grew up in a house with very limited hot water - about 10-15 minutes of shower. I'm trained to take short, cold showers. Nice to know that there's at least one thing I'm doing right.

No matter how much you reduce your energy usage, something will always account for 25% of what you do use. That doesn't mean whatever-it-is uses "a lot of energy" unless your total usage is "a lot."

Having lived in the snow belt, I remember well when a hot shower was the only thing that made a chilly apartment bearable. Is it better to heat the apartment more? Or is the idea that Good People take lukewarm showers in their frigid apartments before hanging out clothes to dry in the icy air?

No thanks. I agree this green thing has crossed the line. If everyone started doing this, I can only imagine the streets filled with zombie-like people in the morning.

That being said, theres nothing wrong with taking a shorter shower.

Short, hot, sweet, and to the point. I have no control over how hot the boiler is kept (live in an apartment) and thus am not going to suffer needlessly.

When we started taking "army showers" at our house (rinsing twice at the beginning and end of your shower and lathering up with the water off) my friends thought we were crazy. I find I use less water and less shower gel.

I don't believe in giving up luxuries that I really enjoy, (like hot showers and gourmet chocolate) but I can appreciate them more if I use less.

Switch to a low-flow showerhead (good ones starting at $10) and take the same length shower. You'll cut the hot water use at least in half over a regular shower, and no zombie problems, either.

The streets are already filled with zombie-like people in the morning. (until they get their coffee)

I'll go green for some things, but I will NOT sacrifice my hot steamy showers.