Efficient and Effective Water Heaters

Cold showers are a rude awakening. That’s why it’s important your water supply is in tip-top shape. If you’re in need of a new water heater, there are a few factors you need to consider before you make a purchase: size, fuel source, and most importantly, energy efficiency. For many homeowners, cost cutting is the name of the game, and lucky for them, more and more manufacturers are streamlining their heaters to make sure everyone gets the most bang for the buck. 

Every household has different financial situations and space constraints, so I’ve pulled together a list of different options as you prepare to invest in your next water heater.     

Improving What You Already Have
The storage tank water heater is the most common household model. Water is kept warm in a tank, but because it heats the water even if no taps are in use, substantial energy is wasted. If you already have a storage tank water heater, there are many great cost-effective ways to make it more efficient. Check out our suggestions in this previous post.

Earth-Friendly Heaters
If you’re browsing the market for a green option that’ll save you cash, look no further than ENERGY STAR® water heaters. You’ll find high-efficiency gas-storage water heaters, gas-condensing models and whole-home tankless heaters. Buy an ENERGY STAR® certified heater and you can reduce your heat bill by 7.5 to 55 percent.

Heat on Demand
The demand water heater also saves you cash. These models don’t have tanks, so water is only heated when you twist the tap. Thus, saving energy and money. These heaters also have easily replaceable parts, which significantly extends their liftetimes. The downside? They produce less water and usually have to be used in pairs to provide enough hot water to supply, say, a dishwasher and a shower simultaneously.

Putting the Air to Use
Heat pumps are an effective way to supplement your current water heater. They work by sucking air from the surrounding room and heating it (sort of like a reverse refrigerator). However, heat pumps don’t work well in cold rooms because of their reliance on warm air, and the exhaust they produce tends to make whatever room they’re in colder. Be warned: At $1500, these cutting-edge gizmos are pricey, so they’ll take a while to recoup their cost. 

Putting the Heat You Already Produce to Good Use
If you inhabit a colder climate, you may warm up to a tankless-coil or indirect water heater. The tankless-coil relies on a furnace or boiler to heat the water supply, which makes it incredibly efficient during winter months when you have the heat going full blast. If you live in a warmer region with kinder winters, however, your furnace won’t be running as often and it won’t be as effective. 

Sun Power
The average electric water heater is responsible for emitting eight tons of CO2 per year, which is more than double what most cars produce. Nearly 1.5 million homes and business in the U.S., however, are already use solar power to fuel their water heaters, and the Environmental and Energy Study Institute estimates that the U.S. receives enough sunlight that 29 million more could be added.  Installing a solar system can be expensive, ranging anywhere from $1,500 to $3,500. But when you take into account the amount of money you’d save, it’d pay for itself in four to eight years!  The government even offers a 30 percent tax credit if the solar water heater you install is $2,000 or cheaper.

Still confused?  Consult the U.S. Department of Energy website to calculate your home’s needs.

Until next time,
The Home Know-It-All

Comments

[King R.]

Water heaters made by Energy Star are indeed durable and efficient for any home to have. Good job on making such a good read article. Thanks!