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Natural gas or electric water heaters are the standard appliances found in most homes.
Sometimes though, alternative sources for heating water are desired. A cabin in a rural location
may be inaccessible to utilities, or a plan to simplify a lifestyle requires a reduction in energy
use. Several ways exist to provide hot water without natural gas or electricity. Alternative ways
may still use a standard water heater tank to store and distribute the hot water, or they may use a
custom tank.
Solar power
Solar powered water heaters are common appliances and are available in sizes ranging from
small and portable for camping out in the woods to a full home-sized tank of water. A standard
setup would include solar panels that heat a nonfreezing substance such as glycol, which is then
pumped into a heat exchange apparatus which transfers the energy to the water. Most solar
systems have a backup propane heat source for extended periods if the sun's energy is not
sufficient.
Propane Gas
Propane gas brought in via tanks is the choice of energy for many rural areas. It provides the
energy for cooking, and heating the home and water. A large propane tank of 500 gallons may
only need filling once a year. A propane water heater is no different than a natural gas heater in
operation. Many manufacturers provide a propane-alternative water heater along with natural gas
units.
Wood Heat
Wood heat has been pressed into double-duty for warming water since the invention of a bucket
to hold water over a fire. For whole house heating, along with enough hot water to even fill up a
spa or pool, a dedicated outdoor wood furnace will do the job. It depends on a system of
insulated pipes for moving the water from the home to the furnace and back again, with an
insulated tank to hold the water until needed.
Creative Answers
Creativity is the only limit to heating water for the home. Geothermal units work by bringing
heat up from below the soil level, which is then used to heat the home and water. Some water
heaters take advantage of the heat generated by an ongoing composting facility where the
temperatures can reach 150 degrees Fahrenheit, while others use a windmill to charge a car
battery which heats up the water. Regardless of the method, and no matter how far from
civilization you want to be, you never have to leave your long, hot baths behind.
3. Alternative Heating Methods by James Scott
Solar water heating. This system uses solar energy to heat water. There are two types of solar
heating systems: active and passive.
Waste heat recovery units (HRU). This system operates with the central air conditioner or
heat pump by recovering heat normally exhausted to the outdoors. As long as your central air
system is operating, the extra heat is used to heat water. Installation is about $300-$500, but can
save you $100-$140 a year. That's 50% of your home's heating costs!
Heat pump water heater (HPWH). This system extracts heat directly from the air and
transfers it to water in a stored tank. The system operates independently of the central air system,
so it can produce hot water all year long. Retrofitting an existing water heater can cost about
$600-$1000, but it can save you $100-$150 a year.
Demand (tankless or instantaneou) water heaters. This system heats water directly without
the use of a storage tank. Therefore, they avoid the standby heat losses associated with storage
water heaters. When a hot water tap is turned on, cold water travels through a pipe into the unit.
Either a gas burner or an electric element heats the water. As a result, demand water heaters
deliver a constant supply of hot water. You don't need to wait for a storage tank to fill up with
enough hot water.
4. Are Tankless Water Heaters a Waste of Money? by Martin Holladay
Although tankless water heaters are, on average,more efficient than traditional tank-style water
heaters, theyre also more expensive so expensive, in fact, that many potential customers
wonder whether their high cost can ever be justified by likely energy savings.
Before you can decide whether to buy a tankless water heater, youll need to know how much
energy youll save. Can you trust the information provided by tankless water heater
manufacturers for example, the estimate from Rinnais online calculator that youll save $178
per year?
Before I get around to answering that question in detail, suffice it to say: probably not.
Real-world answers from a monitoring study
To figure out the payback period for the incremental cost of a tankless water heater, it would be
useful to know:
At each house, researchers adjusted gas and water valves to alternate between the tank-type
water heater and the tankless water heater at monthly intervals. Only one water heater was used
at a time. The changeover schedule was adjusted at each site so that every tested heater operated
over the full seasonal spectrum of incoming water temperatures and outdoor air temperatures. An
average of 363 days of useful data were collected from each home.
A demand hot water system will work with tankless and with storage type water heaters,
providing the benefits of faster hot water delivery and eliminating the running of water down the
drain.
The demand hot water pump installs at the furthest fixture from the heater, and connects to the
hot and cold water lines. When you want hot water you press a button and the cooled off hot
water in the hot water piping gets pumped back to the inlet of the heater, and when the actual hot
water reaches the fixture the pump shuts off. That way you get your hot water faster than
running the faucet, you dont run any water down the drain while you wait, and you dont fill the
cold water line with hot water. You save time, water, and money. Typical savings can amount to
over 15,000 gallons per year for a family of four. A hot water demand system used with a
tankless water heater makes a great environmentally friendly package, saving both water and
energy.
Demand systems work just as well with storage type water heaters, and if you are considering
such a system, you might check with your water company as some offer rebates for such
systems. Be sure to check the pump is powerful enough to turn on the flow switch, as not all
pumps are strong enough. Metlund manufactures several models of demand pumps, at least one
of which will run a tankless heater. Chilipepper Sales also manufactures the Chilipepper
appliance which has a pump strong enough to run any tankless heater.
If your primary concern is having unlimited amounts of hot water and you can live with the few
drawbacks, then the tankless unit is for you, otherwise you might want to stick with a good oldfashioned storage type water heater.
6. Reduce Your Energy Bills with a Solar Hot Water Heater By Bob Ramlow
How would you like to have free hot water for the next 40 years? That should sound pretty good
about 15 percent to 20 percent of a typical households energy outlay goes to make sure the
H tap means what it says. If energy prices increase by 6 percent annually, the average family
would save thousands of dollars over the coming decades by installing a solar hot water heater
that supplies just 65 percent of their hot water.
I mean free literally. Yes, youll spend money up front to install the heating system, but your
home equity will increase instantly, often enough to offset the cost of installation. Youll also pay
reduced utility bills saving more money every time rates rise. Within a few years, youll
recover the initial expense. Experts agree, a solar hot water heater is far and away the easiest
initial investment in renewable energy. Perhaps best of all, youll enjoy hot baths or showers with
the satisfaction of knowing the energy comes directly from the sun.
A Good Deal, Getting Better
Solar hot water heaters vary in their details, but they all do the same basic things: gather heat in a
solar collector; transfer the heat, directly or indirectly, to the water supply; and store the heated
water until its used. They use relatively simple, time-tested technology, which is one reason they
are a best bet in renewable energy.
Its important to understand that solar water-heating systems have very low
sometimes zero operating costs, and maintenance amounts to only about $2 per month. Say
you might spend $7,000 to install a solar water heater, when you could install a conventional gas
or electric heater for considerably less. But its so much less expensive to operate the solar heater
that, at some point, youll make up the initial difference. When all costs for purchase,
installation, maintenance and operation are taken into account, a solar water heater usually
equals an electric heater after just eight and a half years, and equals a gas heater in just less than
15 years. From then on, through the expected 40-year life of the solar system, youve got free hot
water (see Image Gallery).
Consider the positive environmental benefits of a solar hot water heater, and the deal just gets
better. A typical residential solar water heater will offset greenhouse gas emissions by about
1,500 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year. Thats equal to the amount of CO2 released by
an average vehicle every 1,685 miles (based on 19.6 pounds of CO2 per gallon at 22 mpg).
Its cheaper to conserve energy than to purchase it, so the first thing youll want to do is reduce
your hot water needs to the minimum. Start by reducing waste; then minimize consumption.
Reducing your usage ensures that your solar heating system will provide the maximum possible
portion of your hot water. Even if you dont go solar, using the minimum necessary hot water is
good for your wallet and good for the environment.
Those who choose to live off the grid are no stranger to hard work, but there are always new
projects around the homestead that can substantially increase your quality of life while
simultaneously saving a lot of money. Some estimates conclude that heating water is responsible
for almost 30 percent of any given familys energy budget. There is just no reason to pay for that
service when several alternativessuch as solar water heaterscan heat enough water for
personal use. For those of you who have already installed solar water heating systems and use
electric circuits as a backup heater, there are some cost efficient ways to increase the
effectiveness of your solar water heating system.
In addition to the (substantial) monetary incentives to begin using a solar water heating system,
there are, of course, environmental benefits. If you switch to a solar water heating system, your
use of non-renewable resources will drop significantly; that number will approach zero rapidly if
your backup heating system is a woodstove or firebox rather than occasional use of a
conventional, coal powered system.
Gas tankless water heaters are technically cost-effective alternatives to conventional water
heating systems, but they are hardly worth the investment. Consumer Reports indicates that it
can take over 20 years to break even because the installation cost of a gas tankless water heater
can be so high. Other tankless heating options present similarly high installation costs, with a
period of quite some time to make that money back in savings. By far the cheapest option, solar
water heating systems present their own challenges. Namely, not all solar water heaters can heat
water quickly enough to meet your water needs; however, switching to a solar water heater
would be a great incentive to cut down on your water usage.
There are different ways to construct homemade solar water heaters, each tailored to your
lifestyle and the type of work you are willing to put into the initial process. Depending on
location, altitude, and winter temperatures, not every home will be able to run entirely on a solar
water heater because the hot water storage unit will be unable to sustain a sufficiently high
temperature 24/7. If you live in an area where you are unable to use a solar water heater to meet
all of your energy needs (or it is not an option for most of the winter) solar water heating systems
can still be great investments. At the very least, it is a cheap alternative to conventional water
heaters for the rest of the year. More likely, you will be able to utilize a solar water heating
system at least during winter days (though it is less likely that you will get much return in the
evenings or at night) when your solar collector is able to warm up enough to heat the water.
Whether you plan to buy or build a home, renovate the one youre living in now or replace an
aging water heater, you may soon find yourself thinking about hot water. Dont wait until its too
late to look ahead and consider the options to conventional water heaters.
With the increased focus on energy efficiency in homes, it makes sense to find ways to lower our
use of energy and lessen utility costs. One alternative is a tankless water heater.
According to Energy.gov, tankless or demand water heaters use 24 percent to 34 percent less
energy than conventional storage tank water heaters. Energy Star estimates that a typical family
can save $100 or more per year with a qualified tankless heater.
Tankless systems have gained popularity in Europe and Asia, but have not been as readily
adopted in the United States. Cost could be a factor tankless heaters cost significantly more
than a conventional system. But it also could be a matter of educating the American market about
the product.
Unlike a traditional tank that heats a reservoir of water 24 hours a day, a tankless unit activates
only as needed. When there is a demand for heated water, cold water travels through the tankless
unit, where a gas burner quickly heats it to the preset temperature.
Lets take a quick look at the pros and cons of both systems so you can form your own opinion.
Conventional storage tanks run on electricity or gas, cost less and are fairly simple to install;
replacement is not too difficult or expensive when their useful life is ended (usually 10-15 years).
Over the last few years, aggressive efforts on the part of manufacturers have led to increased
energy efficiency and certification by the Energy Star program.
Tankless units cost more, but have a life expectancy of more than 20 years. They save even more
energy because the unit only operates when there is a demand for hot water, which can reduce its
energy cost by about 25 percent annually.
If a unit is sized properly, a gas tankless heater can deliver a continuous supply of water at a
preset temperature (plus or minus 1 degree) at a rate of typically 2 gallons to 5 gallons per
minute. The units never run out of hot water, though the flow rate may be inadequate during
times of peak demand. The compact size of a typical unit is extremely small, mounts on the wall
and takes up considerably less space than a conventional tank.
So, to keep myself out of hot water, Im not going to make a recommendation. I will leave that
up to you. Hopefully you will do your homework and make the best decision to fit your lifestyle
and budget when the need arises.
solar (DCCEE 2012). Electric water heaters in particular contribute to these emissions: only half
of Australian homes use electric water heaters, but they contribute 80% of hot water greenhouse
emissions. Reducing your hot water use and using renewable energy sources to heat water are
great ways to reduce your environmental impact.
By installing the most appropriate and efficient water heater for your household size, water use
patterns and climate you can save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions without
compromising your lifestyle. An efficient hot water service (HWS) can also add value to your
home and help meet state, territory or local government regulations.
14. Water heaters by Geoff Milne
Both of the two basic types of water heater storage systems and continuous flow (or
instantaneous) systems can use a variety of energy sources to heat water including solar, gas
(LPG and natural gas) and electricity.
Storage water heaters
Water is heated and stored in an insulated tank for use when it is required. These systems can
operate on mains pressure or from a gravity feed (constant pressure) tank.
Mains pressure Hot water is delivered at a similar pressure and flow rate to cold water so
more than one outlet can usually be turned on without greatly affecting pressure. The storage
tank is usually located at ground level inside or outside the house.
Mains pressure systems have been the most popular systems in recent decades but heat losses
from storage tanks and their associated fittings and pipes can be substantial. Large electric
storage tanks and their fittings can waste up to 1,000kWh each year; a typical 5 star gas storage
HWS wastes 3,500MJ. This is equivalent to the energy required to heat 5060L of hot water each
day.
Constant pressure or gravity feed Hot water is delivered at lower than mains pressure from
a tank located in the roof of the house. Pressure depends on the height difference between the
tank and the point of use. Gravity feed systems are most common for older properties and
properties not connected to mains water.
For either type of system, storage tanks may be made of copper, glass (enamel) lined steel or
stainless steel. Copper and glass- lined tanks typically have a sacrificial anode to reduce tank
corrosion, which needs to be replaced every few years. Warranties offered for tanks typically
range from five to ten years.
Continuous flow water heaters
Continuous flow or instantaneous systems heat only the water required and do not use a storage
tank, so do not suffer the heat/energy losses of storage systems. They can operate on natural gas,
LPG or electricity. Gas models are available with either electronic ignition or a pilot flame. They
can be mounted externally or internally if suitable ventilation is available.
Because continuous flow systems heat the water as it is used, they cannot run out of hot water.
Continuous flow water heaters can be fitted with sophisticated temperature controls, including
controls that allow the user to set the desired water temperature at the point of use (e.g. in the
shower). Water is not overheated and hot water does not need to be diluted with cold water to
achieve a suitable temperature, thus saving energy and reducing the risk of burns or scalding.
Types of hot water service
The main types of water heaters on the Australian market are:
heat pump
gas (natural or LPG) storage or instantaneous
solar electric or gas (natural or LPG) boosted
electric storage or instantaneous.
Natural gas
Models come in a variety of sizes, types and efficiencies; can be vented through a chimney or
wall; and can provide hot water during power failures if they have continuous pilot lights. They
require adequate airflow for combustion.
Propane
Models have the same pros and cons as natural gas units but propane is a more expensive fuel.
Units require a dedicated storage tank and scheduled fuel delivery.
Oil
Models come in limited types and sizes, can be vented through a wall and sealed. They require
adequate airflow for combustion, a dedicated storage tank and scheduled fuel delivery; and
cannot supply hot water during power outages.
17. Will a "Water-Saving" Hot Water Recirculation Pump Really Save Me Money? By
Pablo Paster
Hot water recirculation pumps are a convenient way to ensure that you have immediate hot
water from the tap. These systems slowly pump hot water through your hot water pipes and back
to the water heater through either a dedicated line or through the cold water line. Several models
are available and some claim to save "10,000 gallons or more of water per year" and "up to
15,000 gallons per year" while using "less energy than a 25 watt light bulb." First I will examine
these claims, then I will contrast the water saved with the energy used, and finally I will discuss
some alternatives.
How Much Does A Hot Water Recirculation Pump Really Save?
Let's look at the calculations on one website:
An average home has approximately 125 ft of 3/4 inch piping.
125 feet of 3/4" pipe holds 3.14 gallons of water.
10 draws per day wastes over 31 gallons of water waiting for the water to get hot.
Over a year, the wasted water equals 11,461 gallons.
It may be true that the average home holds 125 ft of 3/4-inch piping, although no source was
provided for this factoid. But when you turn on the tap, the water doesn't run through all 125
feet. The water runs the most direct course from the water heater to your tap. Also, I would think
that half of that pipe is dedicated to cold water. In my house the distance from the water heater to
the farther faucet is less than 50 feet. Using their assumptions, the amount of water in the pipe
does not come out to 3.14 gallons, but rather 2.8687 gallons.
The next assumption is that you draw water ten times per day. This assumes that the water in the
pipes cools completely between each draw. In most households however, there are two periods of
the day when hot water is being drawn; for the morning shower and the evening dishes. During
these periods the water in the pipes would probably not cool down very much so you would
realistically only need to wait for hot water two or three times per day.
Using the assumptions and calculations from our source, we can confirm that 11,461 gallons
would be wasted each year. Using my corrected assumptions, I would put that number closer to
838 gallons. Of course some homes are occupied all day, have a more spread out floorplan, and
have a lot more hands to wash. Still, the 11,461 gallons saved are very optimistic. How much
money does the pump save on the water bill? Using their savings and California's high water
prices you would save around $50 per year, but the reality is probably closer to $4.
Should You Get A Hot Water Recirculation Pump?
The pump will cost you $200 to install, $5.50-$32 to operate, will waste $160-$400 per year and
will save you $4-$50 on your water bill. This gives you a negative return on investment (ROI),
so it certainly doesn't make sense from a cost saving or environmental perspective. But don't take
my word for it, there are actual case studies out there with empirical data.
Most homes in the United States use natural gas to heat their water, with electricity the second
and more costly choice. Other options include alternative fuels like propane, heating oil, or
solar.
No matter what technology you choose, you should consider purchasing the most efficient option
in your budget. Additionally, you can make small lifestyle changes and improvements to your
existing heater that can drastically reduce your utility bills.
A water heaters efficiency is measured by its Energy Factor (EF): the ratio of the water heaters
energy output to the total energy going into the water heater. The higher the EF, the more
efficiently the water heater performs.
Storage Tank: This is the most common type of water heater in U.S. homes. High-efficiency gas
storage tanks differ from regular storage tanks in that they have more insulation, heat traps,
enhanced burners, and sometimes power vents to improve gas combustion. The most advanced
models have an EF of at least 0.70.
Tankless or Demand: Unlike storage tank heaters, tankless heaters dont maintain a constant
supply of hot water, so they take up less space. When you turn on the tap, sensors tell the gas
burner to activate and water is heated by running through a heat exchanger. New tankless water
heaters have an Energy Factor as high as 0.98. While they are more efficient and ideal for homes
with low water use, a study by the National Resource Efficiency Lab found that you can save up
to 50% of water heating energy by placing smaller demand heaters at each water outlet: showers,
the dishwasher, and clothes washer.
Gas Condensing: This type of water heater looks and works like a high efficiency storage tank,
but with the added benefit of capturing combustion gases to help heat the water. While more
expensive, this technology can save $100 off your annual utility bills1 even more for larger
families.
Heat Pump: If you cant switch to a gas water heater, a heat pump water heater is an efficient
electric option. This technology is like a refrigerator, running in reverse. It also acts as a
dehumidifier, improving air quality in humid climates or moist basements.
Solar: Solar water heating systems, or solar thermal systems, use the suns energy to heat water
for your home. These systems include solar collectors, piping, values, storage tanks, and
sometimes pumps. A properly installed solar thermal system can save 50-75% of water heating
energy2. Although numerous tax incentives and rebates may decrease the initial and installation
costs, solar is still one of the more expensive water heating options, so youll need to determine
if it is a cost-effective option for your home.
Domestic water heaters found in institutional and commercial facilities provide an oftenoverlooked opportunity to save energy. Depending on the facility and its demand for domestic
hot water, these systems can account for 10-18 percent of total energy use.
With the use of new technology and proper maintenance of the installed systems, engineering
and maintenance managers can reduce the energy requirements of these systems by up to 50
percent. And while much of the attention of new technology focuses on improved operating
efficiency, these systems also can improve safety for operators and building occupants.
Condensing Water Heaters
Conventional gas-fired water heaters have a peak operating efficiency of 78-82 percent. They
burn fuel in a combustion chamber, and the resulting combustion gasses pass through a heat
exchanger, which transfers energy from the gasses to water. Much of the operating loss in these
units comes in the form of heat carried out of the unit with the flue gases
Water a natural byproduct of combustion vapor carries out part of the energy lost in the
flue gases. Condensing water heaters recover much of this energy by using a larger heat
exchanger or a second heat exchanger that reduces the flue-gas temperature to the point where
this water vapor condenses, releasing even more energy.
Condensing water heaters offer a peak operating efficiency of 88-90 percent. Managers typically
can recover their extra cost in one to two years operation in most facilities and less in facilities
with high hot-water demand.
Modulating Systems
Conventional water heaters use on/off controls. As the system load varies, the boiler varies the
amount of time it is on to meet the demand. Higher demand levels result in longer burn times,
and lower demand levels result in longer periods when the burner is off. Only when the boiler
operates at peak load does the burner remain on for a long period of time.
While on/off controls are simple and inexpensive, they are not very efficient. Water heaters that
cycle frequently increase losses through the boilers flue gases. Depending on the frequency with
which the water heater must cycle, these losses can reduce annual operating efficiency 10-50
percent.
Modulating water heaters offer an effective solution for reducing these losses. Instead of simply
shutting off the burner when the system meets the demand for hot water, modulating boilers
reduce the amount of fuel supplied to the boiler, cutting the rate at which hot water is generated
without turning off the burner. Only when demand drastically falls off is the burner actually shut
down. Modulating the burner instead of cycling reduces flue-gas losses and increases annual
operating efficiencies by up to 50 percent.
New-generation water heaters that modulate the burner while condensing the flue gases can
achieve operating efficiencies as high as 92-95 percent.
Modular Units
In most commercial and institutional facilities, one water heater is sized to meet the facilitys
peak demand. In most facilities though, the demand for hot water varies widely with time of day
and day of the week, often by a factor of 10 or more. For conventional water heaters, this means
the unit will cycle frequently most of the time. Modulating water heaters reduce the cycling,
which still will take place during periods of relatively low demand.
An alternative to the single water heater is using multiple, modular units sized to meet a range of
hot-water-demand levels. Each modular unit has a much lower capacity that the single,
conventional unit. Under low-load conditions, one water heater can provide all of the required
hot water. As the load increases, additional units automatically come on line. Depending on the
application and the demand for hot water, a facility might have up to 10 modular units.
Modular installation using multiple, smaller water heaters delivers increased annual
operating efficiency over the use of a conventional single unit. The degree of improvement
depends on the range of demand for hot water. Managers can expect that for most typical
applications, a modular water heater approach can reduce annual energy requirements by at least
10 percent.
The use of modular water heaters also means facilities have backup hot-water units available. In
a single-water-heater application, one unit failure results in a loss of hot water. But in a modular
application, one heaters failure only reduces system capacity. Hot water is still available.
Point-of-use Heaters
In traditional hot-water systems, a central heater generates hot water, which then is distributed
through a piping system to all points of use. Larger systems might require circulation pumps and
storage tanks.
One major drawback of a central system is its overall operating efficiency. Typically, water must
run for several seconds for hot water to reach each point of use, wasting both water and the
energy used to heat it. Conduction losses from system piping and storage tanks further decreases
operating efficiency. Circulation pumps require additional energy. As a result, it is not
uncommon to find that the annual operating efficiency of central systems is 50 percent or less.
Point-of-use water heaters offer an alternative to the central hot water system. Instead of a single
or multiple central water heaters, point-of-use systems feature multiple small water heaters
throughout a facility at or near the point where the water is needed.
Heaters are sized to meet the demand of that use. They might be instantaneous water heaters or
might include a small tank. By eliminating losses associated with central systems, point-of-use
water heaters offer vastly improved annual operating efficiencies. Their primary drawback is the
additional maintenance required needed to keep the larger number of system components
operating and in good condition.
in these applications, as well. This technology is particularly important when considering the
type of materials found stored in spaces near water heaters.
20. Heat Pump Water Heaters: An Energy-Efficient Alternative by Nick Akins
Heat pumps are most often thought of as heating and cooling systems, but they can also be used
to heat watereither as stand-alone water heating systems, or as combination water heating and
space conditioning systems. Heat pump water heaters typically have a higher initial purchase
price than conventional units, but their lower operating costs can provide a good return on your
investment.