If your water heater is 7 years old or older, it is time to do some research on a replacement unit. It may not be time to change it just yet, but it is better to have had the time to know and research your options in advance before you have to make a quick decision in a few hours because you just cannot deal with another cold shower.
Here is some expert advice on how to reap long-term savings on your replacement hot water unit.
Consider buying a new energy-efficient water heater. As with anything that is built to be more energy efficient, it will probably cost more than the conventional solution, however, the energy savings of the lifetime of the unit should be enough to consider this option. Also consider energy efficient replacements of other appliances that use hot water link washing machines and dish washer units. Look for the ENERGY STAR label on these appliances. Energy efficient water heaters include: high efficiency gas non-condensing units, gas condensing units, electric heat pumps, tankless gas units, and solar heaters.
Tankless water heaters and gas on-demand units heat water only when it is needed instead of storing hot water in a tank. Research has shown that this can lead to savings up to 30% on your next energy bill in comparison to using the conventional storage tank water heater. Using a natural gas unit can also reduce your energy bill. Standard tank storage and tankless water heaters are both available with electric or natural gas options.
Have you ever considered how much heat is wasted when you do use hot water? You may want to look into using a drain-water waste heat recovery system. If you are wondering what that is, it is exactly as it sounds. Here is the basic concept: when you use hot water, you do not use all of the heat so this system takes this used water, also known as greywater or drain-water, and uses the heat energy from this waste hot water to preheat cold water before it enters the water heater. This reduces the energy the water heater will use to heat the water in the tank or water flowing through it in the case of tankless unit.
If you are concerned with high electric rates and have an unshaded, south-facing surface on your home, you may want to consider installing a solar water heater. This is very environmentally friendly solution. If you are concerned with the aesthetics of having a solar panel on your home, consider using the roof or opt for having it installed to blend in with your roof.
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Guest post is provided by Payless Water Heaters. We are your one-stop-shop for all of your water heating needs. Visit us at facebook.com/PaylessWaterHeaters.
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