Posts Tagged ‘Tankless Water Heaters’
Energy-Efficient Water Heating Tips
Energy-Efficient Water Heating Tips
With the ever-increasing cost of just about everything, saving even a small amount on your energy bill is helpful. As for lowering your water heating bills there are several energy-saving strategies that may help you save a little money each month on your water heating bill. Installing a new, more, energy-efficient water heater than the one you have now is an easy option for lowering that bill. Short of that you can reduce your hot water use or lower the water heating temperature on your hot water heater. Other strategies for lowering your water heating expenses include insulation of your water heater tank and hot water pipes, installation of heat traps, timers, and/or a drain-water heat recovery system.
Insulate Your Water Heater and Hot Water Pipes
Insulating your water heater tank and pipes will save you about 4 to 9 percent in water heating costs. To insulate hot water pipes use blankets or other heat infusing material. You can usually purchase and install an insulating pre-cut jacket or blanket yourself on an electric water heater, available for about $10.00 to $20.00. You’ll want to choose one with an insulating value of at least R-8 and make sure your thermostat is set below 130 degrees Fahrenheit. For a gas water heater, the installation of a blanket or jacket is a bit more difficult so make sure you carefully read and follow the installation instructions so as not to block the drain at the bottom or the flue at the top of your heater. You’ll want to be careful not to block the airflow to the burner and not cover the thermostat to prevent your insulation from igniting.
Install a Drain-Water Heat Recovery System
A drain-water heat recovery system captures water before it goes down the drain from other water sources and preheats the cold water from this drainage before it enters the water heater. By trapping and recovering heat from hot water used in showers, bathtubs, sinks, dishwashers, and clothes washers, a drain-water heat recovery system can save you valuable dollars on your hot water expenses. You’ll need a qualified water heater plumber and heating contractor to install your system with the range of expense being $300 to $500.
Other easy ways to lower your water heating costs is by being careful not to waste hot water, fix leaks, install low-flow fixtures, and purchase energy-efficient appliances. Being a conscientious homeowner will always pay off with lower household expenses.
Post provided by: Water Heater Plumbers Decatur GA
Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless Water Heaters function to heat water directly without the use of a storage tank. Consequently, tankless water heaters avoid the standby heat losses associated with storage water heaters. With a tankless water heater, when you turn on your hot water tap, cold water travels through a pipe into your tankless water heater unit. If you have an electric tankless water heater, an electric element heats the water; and in a gas-fired tankless water heater a gas burner heats the water. This results in a tankless water heater delivering a constant supply of hot water to your home. Thus, you don’t need to wait for a storage tank to fill up with water to enjoy your hot water.
Tankless Water Heater Maintenance
To optimize the energy efficiency of your tankless water heater you must make sure that it is properly installed and that you handle maintenance issues regularly.
Proper installation and maintenance of tankless water heaters depends on the climate you live in and local building code requirements. To determine if you are within codes, you should have a qualified, licensed plumbing contractor install your tankless water heater.
Precautions To Take To Ensure Your Tankless Water Heater Is Installed Correctly
Take precautions in choosing a contractor to install your tankless water heater by requesting a cost estimate in writing, asking the contractor for references, checking with your local Better Business Bureau to see if unfavorable reports have been filed against the contractor, and confirm that the company has a local permit and understands your local building code requirements.
Manufacturers of tankless water heaters usually provide installation and instruction manuals with their product; so make sure your contractor is aware of this and that he has a copy of these installation instruction materials. In addition, make sure that your contractor has contacted your municipality for information about obtaining a permit to install your tankless water heater, if necessary, and that your contractor is educated in the codes required to be followed when installing your tankless water heater.
Life expectancy of most tankless water heaters is more than twenty years, so verify that parts for your particular water heater will be available for at least ten to fifteen years.
Consult the manufacturer’s website or literature for detailed warranty information about your tankless water heater. And, remember, periodic water heater maintenance can significantly extend your water heater’s life as well as minimize your loss of efficiency. Be sure to read your owner’s manual for specific maintenance recommendations and follow those recommendations.
Post provided by: Licensed Plumber Marietta GA