The researchers found that for residential users heating water (showers, clotheswashers, cooking, hot tubs, etc) accounted for 75% of water-related energy use.
Executives at General Electric and Whirlpool say consumers should expect networked homes and neighborhoods by 2012 and a drop in overall energy use of air conditioners, refrigerators and clotheswashers by 50% to 75%.
The pilot project will include about 10, 000 households, and these residents could create an online account to not only view their reports but also browse rebates offered by the water district to buy water-efficient household items such as clotheswashers and toilets or to change the landscaping of their lawns to use drought-resistant, native plants.