Hot Water Heater Solar Power Energy Generation Guide
Hot Water Heater With Or Without A Tank
By Gerard J Howson
When people review ideas about environmental friendly
ways of heating the water in their homes, one of the
options often mentioned is a tankless demand water heater,
that is, a system that heats the water only as it is
being used.
This is considered a much better environmental choice
than going with the traditional tank. But there are
some occasions when factors like cost, climate and energy
use suggest that installing the more familiar tank hot
water heater is still the better choice.
Cost is certainly a big consideration for anyone deciding
on a new hot water heater. A tankless system looks much
less expensive, if you only consider the cost of the
unit itself.
Installation Costs Increase The Overall Price
But all the extra costs associated with installation
may make you raise your eyebrows. For example, if you’re
buying a gas water heater, you will have the expense
of running extra gas lines to the rooms where the heater
will be installed.
Because this type of heater runs so much hotter than
tanks, you will need to redo all your venting with expensive
Category III stainless vents, and probably add extra
venting as well.
Energy Efficient Tanks
But won’t it ultimately be worth it, if the tankless
unit is a much more energy efficient water heater than
a tank? What about those energy savings, to offset the
initial extra costs?
The savings may be smaller than you think in some cases,
because tanks have recently become much more energy
efficient themselves. You may save a little bit each
year, but in some cases it could take as long as thirty
years to break even.
Living In A Cold Climate
This may be especially true if you live in a colder
climate, because your home water heater would have to
use more energy to heat the cold water coming in from
outside.
Even if you can accept that your energy savings may
be less than expected, and installation costs higher,
you may still end up getting a tank hot water heater
after all.
Take All Factors Into Consideration
Why? If you live in a climate that gets quite cold
in winter, you may have little choice. Gas or electric
water heaters may be a great idea, but really cold water
coming in from outside may damage their heat exchangers,
adding even more to the cost.
You need to consider all of these potential factors
in your choice, and be willing to choose a tank system
if that’s really best for your situation.
About the Author:
Gerard J Howson has written a number of articles on Home Improvement, Hot Water Systems, Energy Efficient Appliances,
Solar Power and Renewable Energy including
Hot Water,
Hot Water Heaters,
Hot Water System
Smart Homes,
Solar Hot Water,
Solar Electric.
Look out for new articles as they become available on this site.
Little Known Solar Facts.....
Unless you have a severe sun allergy that prohibits
you from walking outside or being near a window during
the day, you have felt the power of the sun. The warming
rays ensure humanity’s very existence. Since the beginning
humans have needed the sun to grow food, provide warmth
and light the way.
It may just be another star in the sky but for Earth
it is what gives us life. There is more to the sun than
just allowing us to spend a day outside. It can be the
solution to our energy problems.
Solar power may be the future of the Earth.
|
