WATER HEATER CHOICES

TYPES OF WATER HEATERS

Storage water heaters are by far the most common type of water heater in the U.S. today. Ranging in size from 20 to 80 gallons (or larger) and fueled by electricity, natural gas, propane, or oil, storage water heaters heat water in an insulated tank. When you turn on the hot water tap, hot water is pulled out of the top of the water heater and cold water flows into the bottom (through a "dip tube" from the top) to replace it. Because heat is lost through the flue and the walls of the storage tank (this is called standby heat loss), energy is consumed even when no hot water is being used. New energy-efficient storage water heaters have higher levels of insulation around the tank and one-way valves where pipes connect to the tank, substantially reducing standby heat loss.

Demand (or instantaneous) water heaters eliminate the storage tank by heating water only when there is a call for hot water. These units are growing in popularity in the U.S. The energy consumption of these units is generally lower since standby losses from the storage tank are eliminated. Demand water heaters with enough capacity to meet household needs are gas- or propane-fired. They have three significant drawbacks for some applications: Large simultaneous uses (two showers and the clothes washer, for example) may challenge their capacity, particularly in winter,when the inlet water is coldest. They will not turn on unless the hot water flow is ½ - 3/4 gallon/minute. Retrofit installation can be very expensive. Finally, because the efficiency tests were not developed with these designs being considered, it is not known if the "EF" accurately estimates energy consumption. If you choose a tankless unit, look for one eligible for 2006-2007 federal tax credits (EF 0.80 (Gas) or EF 2.0 (Electric)).

Heat pump water heaters are more efficient than electric resistance models because the electricity is used for moving heat from one place to another rather than for generating the heat directly. The heat source is outside air or air in the basement where the unit is located. Refrigerant fluid and compressors transfer heat into an insulated storage tank. Heat pump water heaters are available with built-in water tanks called integral units, or as add-ons to existing hot water tanks. A heat pump water heater uses one-third to one-half as much electricity as a conventional electric resistance water heater. In warm climates they may do even better, but there are few sources for these products.

New dual water heater sets are a combination of several of the best energy saving systems  of two independent tanks with thick insulation.  the second tank is a hot water tank on it's own but reversed.  The water inside of it's thickly insulated no pressure long lasting tank is consistingnever used, but a fined coil passes through the electrically heat controlled water and comes out matching it's temperature, you only heat what you use and cold water is never dumped into the tank producing almost limitless hot water at a 98% level of energy conservation.  The first tank which is built the same way but has no electric element.  Instead a copper coil is located in the center of this tank.  The hot freon of your air conditioner is passed through this tube which has two results.  First the air conditioner will put out colder air, which results in shorter running time, the heat which is lost from the latent heat in the freon is stored in the water of the first tank. Water from the city is first passed through the coil in this tank before it reaches the second stage of this water system.  since the water is pre heated the energy expended to complete the heating process in the second tank  is greatly reduced.  The total savings could almost save all of the cost of the hot water generation and adding the air conditioning savings, it could be dramatic. The down side is the twin sets cost a few hundred more than regular heaters, but the savings in energy and the endless hot water make it worth the price.  In 2008 the hot water systems may be added to the Energy Star program and stage 1 or stage 2 could qualify for tax rebates, perhaps both could separately.

Indirect water heaters generally use the home’s boiler as the heat source. In boiler systems, hot water from the boiler is circulated through a heat exchanger in a separate insulated tank. In the less common furnace-based systems, water in a heat exchanger coil circulates through the furnace to be heated, then through the water storage tank. Since hot water is stored in an insulated storage tank, the boiler or furnace does not have to turn on and off as frequently, improving its fuel economy. Indirect water heaters, when used in combination with new, high-efficiency boilers or furnaces, generally have the lowest operating costs among water heating technologies. These systems can be purchased in an integrated form, incorporating the boiler or furnace and water heater with controls, or as separate components. Gas, oil, and propane-fired systems are available.

Solar water heaters use energy from the sun to heat water. Solar water heaters are designed to serve as pre heaters for conventional storage or demand water heaters. While the initial cost of a solar water heater is high, it can save a lot of money over the long term. Solar water heaters are much less common than they were during the 1970s and early 1980s when they were supported by tax credits, but the units available today tend to be considerably less expensive and more reliable. At today’s prices, solar water heaters compete very well with electric and propane water heaters on a life-cycle cost basis, though they are still usually more expensive than natural gas.

COMPARING THE TRUE COSTS OF WATER HEATERS

When comparing the cost of various water heating options, keep in mind that there are two types of cost you need to look at: purchase cost and operating cost. Life-cycle costs, which take into account both the initial costs and operating costs of different water heaters, provide a much more accurate representation of the true costs of the water heater than the purchase price alone. Life-cycle costs for the most common types of water heaters under typical operating conditions. When both purchase and operating costs are taken into account, one of the least expensive systems to buy (conventional electric storage) is one of the most costly to operate over a 13-year period. An electric heat pump water heater, though expensive to purchase, has a much lower cost over the long term. A solar water heating system, which costs the most to buy, has the lowest yearly operating cost among electric systems. The twin triple heat exchanger system or dual system discussed above is the lowest in cost of electric models but only works in warmer areas where the air conditioner is used a large percentage of the time.  The second stage by itself saves cost in the colder months.

Storage Water Heater And Dual Water Heater Manufacturers

PLEASE VISIT

WATER HEATER CHOICES

TYPES OF WATER HEATERS

Storage water heaters are by far the most common type of water heater in the U.S. today. Ranging in size from 20 to 80 gallons (or larger) and fueled by electricity, natural gas, propane, or oil, storage water heaters heat water in an insulated tank. When you turn on the hot water tap, hot water is pulled out of the top of the water heater and cold water flows into the bottom (through a "dip tube" from the top) to replace it. Because heat is lost through the flue and the walls of the storage tank (this is called standby heat loss), energy is consumed even when no hot water is being used. New energy-efficient storage water heaters have higher levels of insulation around the tank and one-way valves where pipes connect to the tank, substantially reducing standby heat loss.

Demand (or instantaneous) water heaters eliminate the storage tank by heating water only when there is a call for hot water. These units are growing in popularity in the U.S. The energy consumption of these units is generally lower since standby losses from the storage tank are eliminated. Demand water heaters with enough capacity to meet household needs are gas- or propane-fired. They have three significant drawbacks for some applications: Large simultaneous uses (two showers and the clothes washer, for example) may challenge their capacity, particularly in winter,when the inlet water is coldest. They will not turn on unless the hot water flow is ½ - 3/4 gallon/minute. Retrofit installation can be very expensive. Finally, because the efficiency tests were not developed with these designs being considered, it is not known if the "EF" accurately estimates energy consumption. If you choose a tankless unit, look for one eligible for 2006-2007 federal tax credits (EF 0.80 (Gas) or EF 2.0 (Electric)).

Heat pump water heaters are more efficient than electric resistance models because the electricity is used for moving heat from one place to another rather than for generating the heat directly. The heat source is outside air or air in the basement where the unit is located. Refrigerant fluid and compressors transfer heat into an insulated storage tank. Heat pump water heaters are available with built-in water tanks called integral units, or as add-ons to existing hot water tanks. A heat pump water heater uses one-third to one-half as much electricity as a conventional electric resistance water heater. In warm climates they may do even better, but there are few sources for these products.

New dual water heater sets are a combination of several of the best energy saving systems  of two independent tanks with thick insulation.  the second tank is a hot water tank on it's own but reversed.  The water inside of it's thickly insulated no pressure long lasting tank is consistingnever used, but a fined coil passes through the electrically heat controlled water and comes out matching it's temperature, you only heat what you use and cold water is never dumped into the tank producing almost limitless hot water at a 98% level of energy conservation.  The first tank which is built the same way but has no electric element.  Instead a copper coil is located in the center of this tank.  The hot freon of your air conditioner is passed through this tube which has two results.  First the air conditioner will put out colder air, which results in shorter running time, the heat which is lost from the latent heat in the freon is stored in the water of the first tank. Water from the city is first passed through the coil in this tank before it reaches the second stage of this water system.  since the water is pre heated the energy expended to complete the heating process in the second tank  is greatly reduced.  The total savings could almost save all of the cost of the hot water generation and adding the air conditioning savings, it could be dramatic. The down side is the twin sets cost a few hundred more than regular heaters, but the savings in energy and the endless hot water make it worth the price.  In 2008 the hot water systems may be added to the Energy Star program and stage 1 or stage 2 could qualify for tax rebates, perhaps both could separately.

Indirect water heaters generally use the home’s boiler as the heat source. In boiler systems, hot water from the boiler is circulated through a heat exchanger in a separate insulated tank. In the less common furnace-based systems, water in a heat exchanger coil circulates through the furnace to be heated, then through the water storage tank. Since hot water is stored in an insulated storage tank, the boiler or furnace does not have to turn on and off as frequently, improving its fuel economy. Indirect water heaters, when used in combination with new, high-efficiency boilers or furnaces, generally have the lowest operating costs among water heating technologies. These systems can be purchased in an integrated form, incorporating the boiler or furnace and water heater with controls, or as separate components. Gas, oil, and propane-fired systems are available.

Solar water heaters use energy from the sun to heat water. Solar water heaters are designed to serve as pre heaters for conventional storage or demand water heaters. While the initial cost of a solar water heater is high, it can save a lot of money over the long term. Solar water heaters are much less common than they were during the 1970s and early 1980s when they were supported by tax credits, but the units available today tend to be considerably less expensive and more reliable. At today’s prices, solar water heaters compete very well with electric and propane water heaters on a life-cycle cost basis, though they are still usually more expensive than natural gas.

COMPARING THE TRUE COSTS OF WATER HEATERS

When comparing the cost of various water heating options, keep in mind that there are two types of cost you need to look at: purchase cost and operating cost. Life-cycle costs, which take into account both the initial costs and operating costs of different water heaters, provide a much more accurate representation of the true costs of the water heater than the purchase price alone. Life-cycle costs for the most common types of water heaters under typical operating conditions. When both purchase and operating costs are taken into account, one of the least expensive systems to buy (conventional electric storage) is one of the most costly to operate over a 13-year period. An electric heat pump water heater, though expensive to purchase, has a much lower cost over the long term. A solar water heating system, which costs the most to buy, has the lowest yearly operating cost among electric systems. The twin triple heat exchanger system or dual system discussed above is the lowest in cost of electric models but only works in warmer areas where the air conditioner is used a large percentage of the time.  The second stage by itself saves cost in the colder months.

Storage Water Heater And Dual Water Heater Manufacturers