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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:4.5pt'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#222222'>With fall weather underway and chilly temperatures ahead, we're going to be using more and more hot water. The U.S. Department of Energy found that </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001jfaHmSIe-c0U8kHHMe-_0iCBy8TvSNo7oTlLB7t3r9otP7wzulSvWhaMqba7wQ__w8O7hxC2CYI5Cr3Tzph5J9h02DdUrBXlgeifrp7ibsMzWlMRlY72AC9pOalIn0C5u8idC7eNA-OcujjVn2iyEoMXb_kVc78jY5DA_K8MXdNZhd52udxJLOOZJbhr8MmgwseK3TP9peTO_pTjD_3xCArk5X4qiuW9FqqRSdCW8NyrQDl_IlKLkZ2pARXD9NgMZROu6K4V_KpMTqfHHA9GDS7_R6mDFh8bgGAbf2HADpD02hG19ujvRvzC-LQbfWy4IMkxxz62uX_0b-8WKUvddiEtl0i9kcV09kzyvm218GY4ump4ALHA4isWsgGpOjTVHRuku6sl1xrcS0YcSwz5Kz4I2O67WuUS&c=Js8U-WG3FeFYD5e_w-Y8Hksck3SvPET-Ede0i7MTcBsbVEIDtHOQgg==&ch=g7maWKGblTkV3aX6pcO_p6azY_iwqQ0y6XY_gob58yAsz6CzZsCQVg==" target="_blank"><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>water heating accounts for about 18 percent of an average family's utility bill</span></b></a><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#222222'>. This makes water heating the second largest energy expense in your home.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:4.5pt'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#222222'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:4.5pt'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#222222'>To help Maryland families prepare for the cold months, we've collected five ways to help cut costs on your water heating bill.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:4.5pt'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#222222'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:4.5pt'><strong><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#222222'>Water Heating Tips</span></strong><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#222222'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#222222'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>1.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#222222'>Adjust the </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001jfaHmSIe-c0U8kHHMe-_0iCBy8TvSNo7oTlLB7t3r9otP7wzulSvWhaMqba7wQ__VfbDk0sUD6mOFC5fJGqMdjCTyW2q3QaaHAVLXYMwQgj_wekGAayZ71Q3fStQhY2l__a-i9mV4y8jjHxnSa233rbEBO-K9NmFgvC5S1O-suf5dfhd-RCRW6p0UHxFTrULkTesFpGDb-4AmLD0cTpspLDWU834UJ3kkMYlAOO0kylYLKbaO2r04lr16RHt-cpOF1zbA2gSQPko5H2367rgHEBsCcNyz9ADE0_UznKbfJlY4Ar6bef_wLRHPx40VBeBfb5Q72QEq6zzvVNxdlUNUN3GYXIuHSYwQsrJRuntcvGl1mJzQ7A7kZ0NCO9nhnUjqGycyljkRLHr1QnQvaeUYA==&c=Js8U-WG3FeFYD5e_w-Y8Hksck3SvPET-Ede0i7MTcBsbVEIDtHOQgg==&ch=g7maWKGblTkV3aX6pcO_p6azY_iwqQ0y6XY_gob58yAsz6CzZsCQVg==" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>water heater thermostat to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (F)</span></a><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#222222'> to get comfortable hot water for most household uses. Every 10-degree F reduction in the temperature can lower water heating costs up to 5 percent.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#222222'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>2.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#222222'>Detect and repair leaky faucets right away. Replace old faucets with WaterSense labeled low-flow faucets and shower heads, which </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001jfaHmSIe-c0U8kHHMe-_0iCBy8TvSNo7oTlLB7t3r9otP7wzulSvWhaMqba7wQ__-73CLsE4mO5Nuac5mKlrQV8iHP9152_tWzqM4mY7dFbl-32eejJGRrGFFVzpzqklouUlHS21woYKsMqPqYuaTiZk7Y5szdvlekQLVq33FmsecvJ2o_Jgt6h94l4Pj4AGho18D3leYRR9c00k54ZH0BclL8WpIhh82kUdOnhen3B070gvua3-Pg0vI_IQhvt8QBpIXkZUEWSfwMTIw9HQXgW2kzhQS0VNP1ZQktHerq3Oz5pnTG93PaFiRB4tKG0AQeaYKrDaPHGpqZUDDiyw0a4bl00nd1dq9zwgGWFYpxvHYFcS1Thr117-fcica9s5&c=Js8U-WG3FeFYD5e_w-Y8Hksck3SvPET-Ede0i7MTcBsbVEIDtHOQgg==&ch=g7maWKGblTkV3aX6pcO_p6azY_iwqQ0y6XY_gob58yAsz6CzZsCQVg==" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>can save the average family 700 gallons of water annually.</span></a><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#222222'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#222222'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>3.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001jfaHmSIe-c0U8kHHMe-_0iCBy8TvSNo7oTlLB7t3r9otP7wzulSvWhaMqba7wQ__Pj4s41gtzTkT2xWPULQ-ihX45Wno6B1FtkzsoGnN2Xof0EX88ZeQRn9AY0KUpbxhT2UWlJNjWndNteK04gIrXVAjxh4clUW-71eXFK2gxOqekv-NJhPxW26amALBvbg1pTa9vaw2Zh3vN3JQjR3FKTQObtPVGm2Lnz9GY4AmID-W-7_-MHMFPrFJbp7Rw2sU4EXX2aClyuEJTDQn_U2RPMtLBeO2fllpjzOl6ZymNVSQamffLgeHmCaXf1vL3sEK8SmYbqf0SWcM-OmiMetjWBS0r6LSF7E1PjstsPx7K2x2IDA4UIhzi4HbWSfhIrYJHXv6d2uM7ye-g4Jfw9IHzw==&c=Js8U-WG3FeFYD5e_w-Y8Hksck3SvPET-Ede0i7MTcBsbVEIDtHOQgg==&ch=g7maWKGblTkV3aX6pcO_p6azY_iwqQ0y6XY_gob58yAsz6CzZsCQVg==" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Insulate your water heater.</span></a><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#222222'> Be careful not to cover the top, bottom, thermostat or burner compartment of natural gas or oil hot-water storage tanks. In addition, insulate the first 6 feet of hot and cold water pipes connected to the water heater.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#222222'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>4.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#222222'>Invest in a new energy-efficient water heater with the </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001jfaHmSIe-c0U8kHHMe-_0iCBy8TvSNo7oTlLB7t3r9otP7wzulSvWhaMqba7wQ__l0oSZ_NrXDtbSUTj235fpjiXKhlkIIuS6C0bGzuvZIS01c7kW9xtc-EL_wvJ5V8UaDBqff4Wnn077HBqpqG2K4Pjoow20AG_84ZuJtjLEkp02os9_EHZy5QVtcnoxbz9KBtGumr5MAiHrI2pZ_A-_1NoxVF1su6EE3HsYki0BKhVH4mMnocf66FLSEv1cuAh5RmF1buMofMk0P4PjYmlYElfsN-E6-jg0HJISjFpAHsq9_pQZjOWsGQESPY_0fDtvR6bcPO7oxVWWsly4hwnZStLyZmMOhIPcZJQ_AmKiSiKxAa5r20WFrRAT6pWz_Vzcej6gz-lB80=&c=Js8U-WG3FeFYD5e_w-Y8Hksck3SvPET-Ede0i7MTcBsbVEIDtHOQgg==&ch=g7maWKGblTkV3aX6pcO_p6azY_iwqQ0y6XY_gob58yAsz6CzZsCQVg==" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>ENERGY STAR label</span></a><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#222222'> to save energy long-term. ENERGY STAR certified water heaters can </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001jfaHmSIe-c0U8kHHMe-_0iCBy8TvSNo7oTlLB7t3r9otP7wzulSvWhaMqba7wQ__o6zi8rn06-D7yvKCrpqS6UzW8e_4_9mKnZjsQSvQE-F5NGGrdZim942snuDveeurdUB5AacWvRLPzvFqOhNgrrpF6zTeeifnVKsZVlWkbv-SEoJZFk2U1XbqJAnPmV8QkjWnjJQ_9u5lbjfqxPJ4BuYkKFsNREVqmDmm_I9P7Zdhap4KuUiJwvnAFBIazUQElL64aYykTnRoNfJzA65mqf06hEh-n0_lQ7MrlB-lMFWAAqbzKuPX4UAZIm8fFgPrYw6EgQtiHJGPkf2cPF1j45AZYQQEIxc6WnDvF8vWfitEi-S9EWWm3GpdxJwEdG1vzqPNbYRo23UtGEHIF_AZ1r47gZdNbQ7Nww0pJz3ndeEMutZwDxPYvh_1-TLsGXjB4yOmE8YPuo3Oalm6pBoiNznTeLtI4Gb_HvVE1GBcOhE=&c=Js8U-WG3FeFYD5e_w-Y8Hksck3SvPET-Ede0i7MTcBsbVEIDtHOQgg==&ch=g7maWKGblTkV3aX6pcO_p6azY_iwqQ0y6XY_gob58yAsz6CzZsCQVg==" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>use 50 percent less energy</span></a><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#222222'> than equipment that meets the minimum federal standard.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#222222'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>5.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#222222'>Lastly, a no-cost strategy that we can all do is to use hot water more efficiently. <strong><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Reduce water consumption</span></strong> by taking shorter showers, using cold water for most laundry loads or choosing shorter cycles on the dishwasher.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#222222'>Through DHCD's </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001jfaHmSIe-c0U8kHHMe-_0iCBy8TvSNo7oTlLB7t3r9otP7wzulSvWiBFpMJOAraz5FuNjzufvWkm8s-sClVAOIN2BpwwtUq6523zEzQdWQExHPoxJlNQfowSs7xONskn2J_vk9VmHWFvdnOhxuJCsl0zDH88e8iJgLeV4igHrpWud09n_gq7cxA22tD7iA5UH-LnoYNpxx3q8hfhs7bl0-c7ke2y9uOmvo4h8K-v4me08vZI2Yjmqbx3XJyIgFYhrE649-ziHmmvOEUTYOXZlOLikA2vGMcDWXVlQJ9Eq0AeGk5f8MLIQDr9F36vX-RtsGEuJUC_2gCd3vnPbtQaD2WfNCiSv7szL_GG359SGOjM4Z_5ckUvvA==&c=Js8U-WG3FeFYD5e_w-Y8Hksck3SvPET-Ede0i7MTcBsbVEIDtHOQgg==&ch=g7maWKGblTkV3aX6pcO_p6azY_iwqQ0y6XY_gob58yAsz6CzZsCQVg==" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Be SMART Home Loan program</span></a><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#222222'>, you can also learn how to get innovative financing for energy efficiency upgrades to your home, which includes hot water system improvements. Be SMART offers flexible financing of up to $25,000 for eligible homeowners.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#222222'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#222222'>For more ways to save energy, visit the </span><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001jfaHmSIe-c0U8kHHMe-_0iCBy8TvSNo7oTlLB7t3r9otP7wzulSvWhLc8mqLhLQH9XS5D2Rl047tBsJIOsC_26miXs5hkZHt7xyvheHaTtITWEmkpA_UABIcK8YVuCLl5cRJw6eexKOLxE7n7keIxSyiYFi-dZvKOns6T_mGVE94XvhDQyuW6382oxUQFv9O67XTaX0qUIMQdvGcFOSZem1LFdRSUFDR8k6FbuhbwUlKqYecnefVCkk87ezUZBFl3FXWluahwosdUYQT7OIvtz_FhQqe1mUBr0jxAT6-R-bbcAaWVpqUS7yCFFCJOEU1&c=Js8U-WG3FeFYD5e_w-Y8Hksck3SvPET-Ede0i7MTcBsbVEIDtHOQgg==&ch=g7maWKGblTkV3aX6pcO_p6azY_iwqQ0y6XY_gob58yAsz6CzZsCQVg==" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>U.S. Department of Energy</span></a><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#222222'>'s website.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#222222'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#222222'>We hope you apply these simple energy tips to your home. We'll regularly share a new topic so don't forget to subscribe to our blog!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#222222'>By </span><a href="mailto:samantha.lozano@maryland.gov" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Samantha Lozano</span></a><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#222222'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#222222'>Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'><a href="http://www.dhcd.maryland.gov"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>http://www.dhcd.maryland.gov</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Harlow Solid Italic"'>Jessica<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif"'>Jessica E. Barnes<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif"'>Town Clerk<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif"'>Riverdale Park<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif"'>5008 Queensbury Road<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif"'>Riverdale Park, MD 20737<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif"'><a href="http://www.riverdaleparkmd.info/">www.riverdaleparkmd.info</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif"'>301-927-6381<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>