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What kind of Energy Efficient Water heater options are out there? My water heater is probably on it's last leg. i want to be prepared to replace it when it goes out, or even make a preemptive strike. What are the good options out there. What can I expect to pay? I remember hearing about Microwave water heaters that heat on demand. is there a good affordable technology out there yet? cronos51101 replied: "i would say go for a tankless water heater, get a natural gas one if you can because natrual gas is always better than electric, cheaper too. the tankless ones are nice because you will never run out of hot water, and they are more efficient because they don't have to keep 50 gallons of water hot all of the time. the cost more at first, but they give you great results, and lower energy costs."
Mark G replied: "Tankless is a great option. Depending where you live, solar (or a combination of the two) might be even better. Both options are significantly more expensive initially than traditional water heaters, but have great energy savings and qualify for federal energy tax credits."
lewis n 5 years old I'm 75 replied: "Electric, you have heated water when you need it. No gas running 24 hrs. No electric running 24 hours. It works, my neighbor was the first to have it in our neighbor hood. It works, and has so far saved them money. It will pay for it's self quickly, they are thrilled with it. Hoyakins."
car dude replied: "depending on how you heat your home, you might be able to tie it in with the boiler, if you have one. here in CT. many of us have oil or gas fired hot water heat. i will be having an indirect hot water heater installed this week, to replace my old electric hot water heater. basically it's free hot water for at least half the year, a by product of heating the house. it is a coil of tubing inside a hot water tank that has heated water from my heating system running through it to heat the water in the tank. i have been checking this subject out for the past week, fuel oil would have to cost about $5.00 a gallon for it to be cheaper for me to continue to heat my hot water with electricity. the initial cost for the tank and hooking it up will be more than just replacing it with another electric one, but the savings will pay that back pretty quickly. also, the newer electric units have larger elements in them and require a wiring upgrade so there is the savings on an electrician and materials too. so even though the indirect tank will cost me twice as much as an electric heater, the needed upgrades bring the actual price closer to 2/3-3/4's of the new system. there are also tank less units that are just a coil that mounts in your furnace or boiler, provided that they can be retrofitted for this option. your best bet would be to check with your heating and cooling contractor, to see what your system can do for you. unfortunately the oil tank is in need of replacement too, so we're biting the bullet and replaceing our entire heating system too. good luck, hope this helps."
Tom-SJ replied: "Solar hot water heating.
Depending on where you live, how many panels you install and whether you use an open (water-filled) or closed (anti-freeze) system, you can cut your gas bills down to a few $ per month for 6 to 12 months each and every year.
A closed loop system for a 3-4 person family would cost about $2500 (parts only), while an open loop drainback system costs about $2000.
This assumes you retain your existing gas or electric water heater, in good working condition." Is there such a thing as an affordable and highly energy efficient water heater? Mine is having it's tenth birthday, and I always replace them on that occasion to keep ME from having a surprise party one day, but I want one that will benefit the environment, my gas bill, and simple commonsense, but that I can afford -- So many marketing goinks trying to take advantage of responsibility for the planet, these days, what's for real and what's hype? Appreciate any help, thanks. John Black replied: "1 method that is free is 1" black plastic tubing coiled into a 6' diameter circle which sits on your roof which uses the sunlight to heat the tubing and subsequently the water inside. This involves utilizing your existing incoming water pressure to elevate the water to your roof (conventional plumbing) and into the tubes. After a short period of time, once the water is heated, it can be directed to your current hot water line with a valve. By increasing the length of tubing you can increase the amount of water that is heated. I have seen configurations including 4 coils like the one mentioned above. The only down-side is this is not feasible in certain locations, and bad weather can affect it's efficiency. Therefore this method is only good to supplement your primary source. In regards to products on the market, the gas style instant water heaters are among the most efficient."
Gary D replied: "If your existing one is working fine, personally I wouldn't replace it, however there are a couple of things you can do to keep your existing water heater going strong...
(*****NOTE: If you're not comfortable doing these, then get help from an outside technician.)
CLEAN THE TANK OUT
1) Shut off the water heater (turn off gas or electricity) (If gas, you may need the assistance of your gas company)
2) Connect a garden hose at the bottom of the tank and send the other end to a drain or out into the street.
3) Allow the tank to cool down for about 30 minutes
4) Open the stopcock to the garden hose and allow about 15 minutes of water to drain through the tank. (This removes sludge and hard water crystals from the bottom of the tank that have built up over years)
5) Close the stopcock and remove the garden hose.
6) Restore the electricity of gas to the water heater.
REPLACE THE DIELECTRIC NIPPLE (this collects hard water crystals and can plug up quickly if you have hard water)
1) Turn off the water coming INTO the tank.
2) Open a hot water tap in your house somewhere. Open the pressure relief valve above the tank.
3) Use a pipe wrench to remove the dielectric nipple and replace it with a new one.
4) Reclose the pressure relief valve above the tank.
5) Turn the water back on (coming into the tank).
6) Close the hot water faucet you turned on previously.
Again, I stress...If you don't feel comfortable with these tasks, ask a professional because you can get seriously burned.
In the meantime, if you really have your heart set on replacing the tank, there are more efficient tankless, on-demand, water heater models on the market now. They come in a box through which water is heated (on demand) when you need it. Because it only heats the water when you ask for it, you are not paying for the tank to be heated continuously. This cuts down greatly on electricity or gas. They are about 3-4 times the cost of an average water heater, (about $800 to $1,300 for the tankless models, versus $250 to $400 for a regular heater) but you'll save that much over it's life span in fuel reduction." How much do the most energy-efficient water heaters cost? I was just quoted $2200 for installation of an extremely energy-efficient model. Am I being hosed?
They have given me a quote on a Bradford White jet model, high efficiency for a large home. Tucker 187 replied: "no thats not too bad a price..."
chezzrob replied: "just get another quote, thats the competrition rules that you are entitled to use.
Just ensure the quotes are for exactly the same installation, alll pipes, wiring, and the heater plus the work."
J B replied: "It depends on which model you are looking at. Google the item and check out prices. The best prices you would get are going to be through a wholesale company, someone who sales to contractors. More than likely you can make a deal with them, they make money off of how many water heaters they sale.
Post the brand and model that you were quoted..."
HandyManOrNot replied: "Depending on the size, average cost can be $250-$500 (not counting installation). They're all energy efficient now. If you're having the same size and type (gas/electric) replaced, and wasn't more than 15-20 years old (older ones have odd sizes that require significant reworking of vents and hookup), then it shouldn't take more than an hour or two to replace. Sounds like you're getting hosed on installation."
frank replied: "Just make sure that water heater comes with mermaids and magic faries. I think that's a good price."
Mountain!! replied: "Find out what the quote includes. It sounds linke a quote for a tankless water heater. Some high efficiency models require the exhaust ducting be stainless steel so the cost may include remove the old galvinized ducting with stanless steel. If so, then the price seems OK." |
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Energy Savers: Energy-Efficient Water Heating Energy Savers: Selecting a New Water Heater Water Heaters - Energy Choices at the Home Energy-Efficient Water Heater Efficient Water Heating Water Heaters Energy efficient water heaters Tax Credits for Energy Efficient Tankless Water Heaters Energy efficient water heaters How to Buy an Energy Efficient Hot Water Heater | eHow.com |
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