With cold winter months ahead, the cost of heating water will rise significantly. You can combat the problem by insulating your hot-water lines and by adding a blanket to your water heater. The cost is definitely worth the comfort and savings. This is also the time of the year to check the burners at the base of the unit. Rust and corrosion can change the way combustion occurs, wasting precious fuel. Setting things right can be accomplished with a wire brush and a vacuum cleaner. A blue flame is good, an orange flame is bad. If you have an electric water heater, it's a good idea to inspect the heating elements to ensure that no mineral buildup exists. Don't try cleaning the old ones. Once they've super-heated, their efficiency drops to nearly zero. With the project completed, take a nice hot shower. And that's the On The House Tip for today.