Even if you aren’t going to buy a new water heater, you can save a lot of energy and money with your existing system by following a few simple suggestions.
- Conserve Water: Your biggest opportunity for savings is to use less hot water. In addition to saving energy (and money), cutting down on hot water use helps conserve dwindling water supplies, which in some parts of the country is a critical problem. A family of four each showering five minutes a day can use about 700 gallons per week—a three-year drinking water supply for one person! Water-conserving showerheads and faucet aerators can cut hot water use in half. That family of four can save 14,000 gallons of water a year and the energy required to heat it.
- Insulate Your Existing Water Heater: Installing an insulating jacket on your existing water heater is one of the most effective do-it-yourself energy-saving projects, especially if your water heater is in an unheated basement or space. The insulating jacket will reduce standby heat loss—heat lost through the walls of the tank—by 25–40%, saving 4–9% on your water heating bills. Water heater insulation jackets are widely available for around $10. Some newer water heaters come with fairly high insulation levels, reducing (though not eliminating) the economic advantages of adding additional insulation. In fact, some manufacturers recommend against installing insulating jackets on their energy-efficient models. Always follow directions carefully when installing an insulation jacket. Leave the thermostat(s) accessible. With conventional gas- and oil-fired water heaters, you need to be careful not to restrict the air inlet(s) at the bottom or the draft hood at the top.
- Insulate Hot Water Pipes: Insulating your hot water pipes will reduce losses as the hot water is flowing to your faucet and, more importantly, it will reduce standby losses when the tap is turned off and then back on within an hour or so. A great deal of energy and water is wasted waiting for the hot water to reach the tap. Even when pipes are insulated, the water in the pipes will eventually cool, but it stays warmer much longer than it would if the pipes weren’t insulated.
- Lower the Water Heater Temperature: Keep your water heater thermostat set at the lowest temperature that provides you with sufficient hot water. For most households, 120°F water is fine (about midway between the “low” and “medium” setting). Each 10°F reduction in water temperature will generally save 3–5% on your water heating costs. When you are going away on vacation, you can turn the thermostat down to the lowest possible setting, or turn the water heater off altogether for additional savings. With a gas water heater, make sure you know how to relight the pilot if you’re going to turn it off while away.
Water Heating
Next to heating or cooling, water heating is typically the largest energy user in the home. As homes have become more and more energy efficient during the past 20 years, the fraction of energy used for water heating has steadily increased. This article takes a look at the high-efficiency water heaters available and how you can reduce water heating costs with your present water heater.
TYPES OF WATER HEATERS
Storage water heaters are by far the most common type of water heater in the U.S. today. Ranging in size from 20 to 80 gallons (or larger) and fueled by electricity, natural gas, propane, or oil, storage water heaters heat water in an insulated tank. When you turn on the hot water tap, hot water is pulled out of the top of the water heater and cold water flows into the bottom (through a "dip tube" from the top) to replace it. Because heat is lost through the flue and the walls of the storage tank (this is called standby heat loss), energy is consumed even when no hot water is being used. New energy-efficient storage water heaters contain higher levels of insulation around the tank and one-way valves where pipes connect to the tank, substantially reducing standby heat loss.
Demand (or instantaneous) “Tankless” water heaters eliminate the storage tank by heating water directly when there is a call for hot water. These units are growing in popularity in the U.S. The energy consumption of these units is generally lower since standby losses from the storage tank are eliminated. Demand water heaters with enough capacity to meet household needs are gas- or propane-fired. They have three significant drawbacks for some applications: Large simultaneous uses (two showers and the clothes washer, for example) may challenge their capacity, particularly in winter, when the inlet water is coldest. They will not turn on unless the hot water flow is ½ - 3/4 gallon/minutes. Retrofit installation can be very expensive. Finally, because the efficiency tests were not developed with these designs being considered, it is not known if the "EF" accurately estimates energy consumption.
Heat pump water heaters are more efficient than electric resistance models because the electricity is used for moving heat from one place to another rather than for generating the heat directly. The heat source is the outside air or air in the basement where the unit is located. Refrigerant fluid and compressors are used to transfer heat into an insulated storage tank. Heat pump water heaters are available with built-in water tanks called integral units, or as add-ons to existing hot water tanks. A heat pump water heater uses one-third to one-half as much electricity as a conventional electric resistance water heater. In warm climates they may do even better, but there are few sources for these products.
Indirect water heaters use the home’s boiler or furnace as the heat source. In boiler systems, hot water from the boiler is circulated through a heat exchanger in a separate insulated tank. In the less common furnace-based systems, water in a heat exchanger coil circulates through the furnace to be heated, then through the water storage tank. Since hot water is stored in an insulated storage tank, the boiler or furnace does not have to turn on and off as frequently, improving its fuel economy. Indirect water heaters, when used in combination with new, high-efficiency boilers or furnaces, are usually the least expensive way to provide hot water. These systems can be purchased in an integrated form, incorporating the boiler or furnace and water heater with controls, or as separate components. Gas, oil, and propane-fired systems are available.
Solar water heaters use energy from the sun to heat water. Solar water heaters are designed to serve as preheaters for conventional storage or demand water heaters. While the initial cost of a solar water heater is high, it can save a lot of money over the long term. Solar water heaters are much less common than they were during the 1970s and early 1980s when they were supported by tax credits, but the units available today tend to be considerably less expensive and more reliable. At today’s prices, solar water heaters compete very well with electric and propane water heaters on a life-cycle cost basis, though they are still usually more expensive than natural gas.
Tankless Water Heaters -Most Commonly Asked Questions
Q. What does the General Limited Warranty cover?
A. Our tankless water heaters do not hold any hot water. By turning on the faucet, the cold water flow through the flow sensor will turn on the burner. The minimum flow rate to do this is 0.50gpm. The cold water will be heated up to 180ºF if desired. This allows the Navien tankless water heaters to have a 15 year limited warranty.
Q. How much money can I save on my utility bills w/ the Tankless Water Heater?
A. You should be able to save 50% to 75%.
Q. How hot is the water from the Tankless Water Heater?
A. The tankless water heater has a computer-controlled remote controlled system, which will enable you to select temperatures from 115 to 180 degrees
Q. How much hot water I can have?
A. The tankless water heater output temperature is set by the controller. Depending on the model, the maximum output flow rate is as high as 13.6 gallons per minute.
Q. What is the difference between the tankless water heater and a typical tank type water heater?
A. With a tank type water heater, you can draw hot water as fast as your plumbing will allow, however when the hot water tank is depleted, you have to wait for the tank to re-heat before you can use hot water again. Tankless water heaters eliminate the pilot light w/ a computer-controlled electronic ignition. w/ computer-modulated gas valves, water is heated once, rapidly, efficiently & only as needed.
Q. Can I use more than two fixtures at the same time?
A. Yes. The tankless water heater will can handle more than two fixtures, such as showers at the same time.
Q. Has the Navien tankless water heater been approved by Government or National Standards?
A. Yes. The all of the Navien tankless water heaters are approved and are listed by the Trade Commission & California Energy Commission with 98% thermal efficiency.
Q. How can the tankless water heater save money?
A. Most tank type water heaters raise their heat about 3 to 4% each hour. Since the Navien tankless water heater heats water only when the faucet is turned on, there is no standby heat loss. It only uses energy when you are using hot water & it only heats as much water as is needed.
Q. Does the Navien tankless water heater have a pilot light?
A. No. The Navien tankless water heater has an electronic ignition system. This means no more wasted gas & money.
Q. Does the Navien tankless water heater require electrical power to operate?
A. Yes. The Navien tankless water heater has a fan, a computer board & electronic ignition. You need 110V but it only takes a maximum 0.8A draw.
Q. What kind venting system does it have?
A. The Navien tankless water heater has a power venting system w/ fan assistance. The vent size is a 4" PVC; it can run out the roof or sidewall. If it is installed outdoors, it doesn't need any vent.
Q. What size are the water & gas connections?
A. The Navien tankless water heater inlet & hot water outlet are connected w/ standard 3/4" water connections. Gas connection is 3/4" & the gas supply piping required is 3/4".
Tax Credit starting January 2011$300 tax credit for installing new highly efficient water heaters
President Obama and Congress just passed an Energy Bill that will give a tax incentive credit of up to $300 to all homeowners nationwide who purchase a highly efficient water heater in 2012.
There are additional proponents that address new construction, residential and commercial installations not yet published.
Tankless Water Heaters are the new technology, click HERE to learn more at Mumford Plumbing.com
