Pros and Cons of Newest Water Heaters
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Q. One of my neighbors just had an instantaneous water heater installed in her house and she loves it. She says the salesman told her that it will save them a lot of money on their energy bills because it is so efficient. Are they that good?
A. The good news is that these appliances are growing in popularity because they are more energy-efficient than a standard home water heater. But the bad news is that they are growing in popularity ...
First, the good. Instantaneous (also called "demand" or "tankless" water heaters) have been around for a long time, especially in hot climates where they work most efficiently, and they do offer some significant advantages over conventional water heaters with tanks.
Their biggest benefit is that they don't heat the water until it is needed, so there are no heat losses from a storage tank (traditional water heaters operate occasionally to maintain the desired temperature level even when you are not turning on the faucet). Even the best water heater tanks lose heat into the air around them and turn on once in a while to reheat cooler water.
Browse through some of the web sites of companies selling these products and you'll see some pretty strong claims for big energy savings, many claiming as much as a 60 percent savings or even more.
Regardless of how much the actual savings are, they have other benefits beyond the economic. The units are fairly small in size so they take up much less room than a water heater and can be installed just about anywhere. They can also be used to resolve some problems homeowners have with traditional water heaters.
For example, you may have a bathroom at one end of your home that is on the other side of the house from the water tank, and the water never seems to get very hot there. You can put one of these units close to that bathroom and you'll have the hot water you want much quicker. And while these units do have some limits as to how much hot water they can provide at one time, you can install two or more together to give enough hot water for showers, dish washing and other uses all at the same time.
They are more expensive than buying a gas or electric water storage tank, but the savings may pay for that increase over time.
But like I said, there's a problem with the growing popularity of the electric units (that doesn't affect the use of gas ones). I talked with some people who work for utility companies and it seemed that the electric tankless water heaters have such a high demand for electricity that rather than being a nice, neat energy-saver, they actually have very large power demands. This can cause some problems for both the homeowner and the utility company.
Homeowners often find right from the start that the wiring in their home isn't suitable to meet the electrical demand when these units are used, a demand that can reach 30,000 watts or even more (compare this to the 4,500-watt demand of a conventional electric water heater). That can mean electrical work to upgrade the electrical circuits in the home, possibly even requiring a separate electrical panel and new wiring, costs that can run into the hundreds and even thousands of dollars and costs that will be borne by the homeowner, not the utility.
But the utility is going to need more heavy-duty wires, meters, transformers and other equipment for the spikes in generation they've got to meet. And at some utilities these costs are going to get paid through increases in all of the electric rates over time. At other utilities, the entire cost of these upgrades is charged directly to the customer who purchases the high demand electric water heater.
So my recommendations are that you learn as much as you can about instantaneous water heaters (there are lots of great web sites and many companies selling them), and think about your home's hot water needs. If you find that this product would work well for you, next contact your local utility before committing to any purchase. And please consider the gas rather than electric units to avoid creating a problem for utilities that will only get worse as more of the units are used.
http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070609/NEWS/706090305/1001/BUSINESS
A. The good news is that these appliances are growing in popularity because they are more energy-efficient than a standard home water heater. But the bad news is that they are growing in popularity ...
First, the good. Instantaneous (also called "demand" or "tankless" water heaters) have been around for a long time, especially in hot climates where they work most efficiently, and they do offer some significant advantages over conventional water heaters with tanks.
Their biggest benefit is that they don't heat the water until it is needed, so there are no heat losses from a storage tank (traditional water heaters operate occasionally to maintain the desired temperature level even when you are not turning on the faucet). Even the best water heater tanks lose heat into the air around them and turn on once in a while to reheat cooler water.
Browse through some of the web sites of companies selling these products and you'll see some pretty strong claims for big energy savings, many claiming as much as a 60 percent savings or even more.
Regardless of how much the actual savings are, they have other benefits beyond the economic. The units are fairly small in size so they take up much less room than a water heater and can be installed just about anywhere. They can also be used to resolve some problems homeowners have with traditional water heaters.
For example, you may have a bathroom at one end of your home that is on the other side of the house from the water tank, and the water never seems to get very hot there. You can put one of these units close to that bathroom and you'll have the hot water you want much quicker. And while these units do have some limits as to how much hot water they can provide at one time, you can install two or more together to give enough hot water for showers, dish washing and other uses all at the same time.
They are more expensive than buying a gas or electric water storage tank, but the savings may pay for that increase over time.
But like I said, there's a problem with the growing popularity of the electric units (that doesn't affect the use of gas ones). I talked with some people who work for utility companies and it seemed that the electric tankless water heaters have such a high demand for electricity that rather than being a nice, neat energy-saver, they actually have very large power demands. This can cause some problems for both the homeowner and the utility company.
Homeowners often find right from the start that the wiring in their home isn't suitable to meet the electrical demand when these units are used, a demand that can reach 30,000 watts or even more (compare this to the 4,500-watt demand of a conventional electric water heater). That can mean electrical work to upgrade the electrical circuits in the home, possibly even requiring a separate electrical panel and new wiring, costs that can run into the hundreds and even thousands of dollars and costs that will be borne by the homeowner, not the utility.
But the utility is going to need more heavy-duty wires, meters, transformers and other equipment for the spikes in generation they've got to meet. And at some utilities these costs are going to get paid through increases in all of the electric rates over time. At other utilities, the entire cost of these upgrades is charged directly to the customer who purchases the high demand electric water heater.
So my recommendations are that you learn as much as you can about instantaneous water heaters (there are lots of great web sites and many companies selling them), and think about your home's hot water needs. If you find that this product would work well for you, next contact your local utility before committing to any purchase. And please consider the gas rather than electric units to avoid creating a problem for utilities that will only get worse as more of the units are used.
http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070609/NEWS/706090305/1001/BUSINESS
Labels: demand water heater, green, tankless water heater, water heater
Water Heater Recall a Tankless Job
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Three brands of tankless hot water heaters have been identified as potential sources of deadly carbon monoxide emissions, prompting a voluntary recall of the systems by Rheem Manufacturing, and Paloma Industries Inc. before they make people sick - or worse. Signs of carbon monoxide poisoning range from flu-like symptoms, to dizziness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, or fainting spells. If you have any, or all of these symptoms, open the windows of your home and seek medical attention immediately.
In February, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission together with CSA International cited three models of the Power Vent Tankless Water Heater because of a defective switch caused by the shifting of components inside the heater when it was moved, likely just before installation. Even if the heater was hooked up by a licensed professional and inspected, a filter door may not work properly, leading to the release of deadly carbon monoxide into the home.
That's exactly what happened to Matt Varble in Clinton, Illinois. When the carbon monoxide detectors went off in his brand-new house on Christmas Day last year, he couldn't trace the source and installed a costly air exchanger to ward off the deadly emissions. It wasn't until later, when he was poking around the Internet and read about the recall on LawyersandSettlements.com.
He realized only then that his expensive tankless water heater, only a few months old, was the likely culprit.
Tankless water heaters were designed to be more efficient and better for the environment than hot water tanks, because they heat water on demand. Instead of the traditional round water tank that's always full and takes energy to keep the water hot - the tankless system is a rectangular box with piping at the top and bottom, and heats only what you need.
The problem has to do with the way a tankless heater works. It requires more air to operate than traditional hot water tanks, and also needs to be properly vented. As well, the air filter door needs to be in just the right spot for the tank to operate safely. Shipping may have affected a switch that controls the positioning of the filter door.
This door is the thing that has everybody worried. If the switch is defective, and the filter door is out of whack, you could wind up with carbon monoxide poisoning.
Affected are three models of the Power Vent 199,990 BTUH Tankless Water Heater under the brands Rheem, Ruud, Richmond, Rheem-Ruud, and Paloma. The recall went into effect on February 21st 2007 and affects $55 million dollars worth of indoor tankless water heaters. In the United States and Canada, the manufacturer will repair the defect for free, although Illinois' Matt Varble would prefer a replacement unit. He paid three times what it would have cost him for a traditional hot water tank, only to be faced with a situation that may put his family at risk.
He's not alone. 42,000 tankless systems were sold to contractors and consumers from May 2004 until December 2006, and all are included in the recall.
Homeowners should be aware of the type of system they have, and if it is tankless - make a note of the model and serial number and contact the manufacturer right away. You'll find the information on the rating plate - which is a small, silver sticker located on the lower, right-hand corner of the front panel.
If the filter door appears to be out of place, or if you have been feeling ill for no apparent reason, DON'T use your hot water and consult your doctor, or go to the hospital for potential C02 poisoning. A blood test will show if you've been exposed to carbon monoxide, which can be deadly.
Like having a smoke detector, it's always good advice to install working CO2 detectors on every level of your home, outside sleeping areas, to protect you from accidental exposure to carbon monoxide, regardless of the source.
As for a defective tankless hot water system, it's the manufacturer's responsibility. If you have fallen ill, or if you have spent your own money on repairs or upgrades where the tankless hot water heater is found to be at fault, you should be compensated.
By Gordon Gibb
http://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/articles/00794/water-heater-recall.html
Labels: tankless water heater, water heater, water heaters
'Tankless' water heater saves energy
It's spendy, but it's efficient, tiny, quiet, green and pays itself off in a few years. It's called the "tankless" or on-demand water heater — and it won't sit there wasting dollars by running hour after hour when you don't need it.
A heated coil — usually by gas or propane (although sometimes electric) — fills with water and gets very hot, very quickly when you turn on the shower, dishwasher or faucet. It continues heating the water as long as you leave that faucet on.
The smaller units, starting at $700 (uninstalled) will meet one demand point — but you can't run the dishwasher and take a shower, says Brian Lambert of Grover Electric in Medford. For about $1,000, you get a larger one that serves both. Prices top out at about $1,500; so, units initially cost two to three times more than the traditional water heater.
On-demand water heaters face a problem as the new kid on the block, but Josh Spoklie of Ferguson Bath & Kitchen Gallery in Medford says he sells 25 or 30 a month. This is about a fifth of the number of traditional water heaters he moves.
The tankless units are little guys — about the size of a small suitcase — and can be hung on the wall of a closet, as long as it's an outside wall, so exhaust gases can be vented. It's safe and silent and has an energy-efficiency quotient of 92 to 98 percent.
Aside from startup and retrofit costs, the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy lists drawbacks as:
They won't turn on unless they can supply half to three-quarters of a gallon per minute.
They sometimes won't supply simultaneous uses, especially in winter when incoming water is colder.
The high cost can be retired in about 31/2 to 4 years with reduced energy bills, Spoklie says.
Equally attractive are a slew of rebates and tax credits: $200 from Avista for switching to gas, a $340 tax credit from the state and a $150 tax credit for water heaters with at least 95 percent efficiency. The state tax credits for energy-miser appliances are at www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/CONS/RES/tax/waterheaters.shtml.
If you get a modest on-demand water heater and find you need more heating power, you don't have to upgrade — just get another one and link them in series, says Don Sample of Budge-McHugh Supply in Medford.
If you want a testimonial yourself, ask around at restaurants, where chefs need lots of hot water every moment — they are big buyers of demand water heaters, says Terry Powell of Modern Plumbing in Medford.
"They pay off quick in a restaurant," Powell says. "They will stay up with any demand."
Bruce Fiero of Will Power Electric, a green energy installer in Phoenix, says tankless water heaters run you about $1,000 installed and, because your water heater is not "on" all the time, will definitely make a dent in your heating bill.
John Darling is a freelance writer living in Ashland. E-mail him at jdarling@jeffnet.org.
http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070510/LIFE/705100308
A heated coil — usually by gas or propane (although sometimes electric) — fills with water and gets very hot, very quickly when you turn on the shower, dishwasher or faucet. It continues heating the water as long as you leave that faucet on.
The smaller units, starting at $700 (uninstalled) will meet one demand point — but you can't run the dishwasher and take a shower, says Brian Lambert of Grover Electric in Medford. For about $1,000, you get a larger one that serves both. Prices top out at about $1,500; so, units initially cost two to three times more than the traditional water heater.
On-demand water heaters face a problem as the new kid on the block, but Josh Spoklie of Ferguson Bath & Kitchen Gallery in Medford says he sells 25 or 30 a month. This is about a fifth of the number of traditional water heaters he moves.
The tankless units are little guys — about the size of a small suitcase — and can be hung on the wall of a closet, as long as it's an outside wall, so exhaust gases can be vented. It's safe and silent and has an energy-efficiency quotient of 92 to 98 percent.
Aside from startup and retrofit costs, the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy lists drawbacks as:
They won't turn on unless they can supply half to three-quarters of a gallon per minute.
They sometimes won't supply simultaneous uses, especially in winter when incoming water is colder.
The high cost can be retired in about 31/2 to 4 years with reduced energy bills, Spoklie says.
Equally attractive are a slew of rebates and tax credits: $200 from Avista for switching to gas, a $340 tax credit from the state and a $150 tax credit for water heaters with at least 95 percent efficiency. The state tax credits for energy-miser appliances are at www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/CONS/RES/tax/waterheaters.shtml.
If you get a modest on-demand water heater and find you need more heating power, you don't have to upgrade — just get another one and link them in series, says Don Sample of Budge-McHugh Supply in Medford.
If you want a testimonial yourself, ask around at restaurants, where chefs need lots of hot water every moment — they are big buyers of demand water heaters, says Terry Powell of Modern Plumbing in Medford.
"They pay off quick in a restaurant," Powell says. "They will stay up with any demand."
Bruce Fiero of Will Power Electric, a green energy installer in Phoenix, says tankless water heaters run you about $1,000 installed and, because your water heater is not "on" all the time, will definitely make a dent in your heating bill.
John Darling is a freelance writer living in Ashland. E-mail him at jdarling@jeffnet.org.
http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070510/LIFE/705100308
Labels: demand water heater, tankless water heater, water heater, water heaters
Green Building Elements: Tankless Water Heaters
Next to bulding heating and cooling, water heaters are the largest energy consumers in most homes. But, with a conventional water heater, much of the energy is spent on keeping the heated water from cooling off while it sits, waiting to be used. Tankless water heaters don't have these standby losses, and can be a much more efficient choice in some circumstances. Tankless water heaters have no hot water storage (hence tankless), but can quickly raise water temperature by as much as 50 degrees F (~30 degrees C). They can do this with a flow rate ranging from 4 gallons per minute (GPM) to as much as 9 GPM. Tankless heaters are also much smaller than conventional water tank heaters, which can be a consideration for smaller homes where space is at a premium.
Depending on usage patterns, a tankless water heater can provide hot water much more efficiently than a regular tank heater. One manufacturer's information lists an annual operating cost (based on 2004 prices) of $166 for their tankless heater versus $210 for a conventional natural gas water heater, and propane and electric conventional heaters are even more expensive to operate.
Tankless water heaters can allow "endless showers." Since the water is being heated as it is needeed, there is no concern about running out of hot water, while a conventional tank heater has a capacity, after which the hot water runs out and water that has entered the heater tank needs to be heated
Tankless heaters may not be for everyone, however.
Supply water temperature can be a factor. Regions with cold winter ground temperatures may have incoming water that is 40-50 degrees F, which may not be able to be adequately heated for hot water needs. More temperate locations will likely be better for tankless water heater installations.
Tankless water heaters also have a much larger fuel supply requirement. In order to provide such a drastic temperature change, simple physics dictates that they need to use a lot of energy very quickly. Over the course of its life, the tankless heater doesn't use as much fuel as a conventional water heater, but when it uses fuel, it uses a lot of it very quickly. This can make retrofitting a tankless heater into an existing home difficult, because the gas line to the existing water heater may not be large enough to supply the needed gas for a tankless heater.
Are they right for you? As I'm increasingly fond of saying, it depends. A home for a larger family where multiple water uses (more than one shower at a time, washing clothes or dishes while showering, etc.) may put more demand on the system than it is able to supply hot water for. But a home for a single individual or a couple who are careful about not crossing their water use, they may be a way to have significant energy savings.
Labels: demand water heater, green, tankless water heater, water heater, water heaters
Students use solar energy in water heater
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
UNC Asheville seniors ran a race of wits with the sun, collecting as much heat as they could to heat two barrels of water on the quad.
“You wouldn’t believe how many people have stopped by and asked, ‘What are you doing?’” said Yusef Fahmy, the director of the engineering department at UNCA.
With the focus on green building and energy efficiency, Fahmy said the engineers should tackle the practical problems of designing and building a solar water heater.
Two teams of seniors in the Mechatronics program competed Monday with two designs for the solar collectors, which were computerized to follow the sun crossing the blue sky and the green quad. Fahmy awarded points for the smaller and more efficient designs as well as for the highest temperature achieved.
The larger device seemed to be ahead with a barrel temperature reaching 81.5 degrees by mid-afternoon. The team had wrestled with both the mechanical and the electronic components, getting the counterweights just right, according to senior Jonathan Crook. The slightest variation of 2 degrees in aligning with the sun could reduce the collector’s efficiency by nearly half.
The second device was focused much tighter on the sun’s rays. The team had designed for a variation of up to 20 degrees, said senior Moises Escobedo.
The team also had rigged the collector for wireless data and a remote control they could control from the classroom inside the science building.
While they had only achieved about 71 degrees in their barrel, the more compact system was about equal in efficiency with the larger one, Escobedo said.
“I had never heard much about solar water heater,” said senior Adam Burdette. “It’s been rewarding to see how much heat you can generate. I hope one day to have a home that could run on solar power, hydroelectric power and possibly wind. It would be nice to have the electric company pay me for power.”
http://citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200770508148&source=rss
Labels: solar water heater, sun, water heater, water heaters
Tips For Buying A Water Heater
Friday, May 4, 2007
Water heaters generally run on either electricity or gas, depending on what type of fuel source is prevalent in your area. Both versions run similarly and come in sizes from twenty to over one hundred gallons. Before purchasing a new water heater, there are a few things that should be considered.
The type of fuel to be used is a determining factor in which unit to choose. If you already have gas hook ups, a gas generated water heater will be your best bet. These generally save on energy costs. However, electric units can be run anywhere and if this is your primary fuel source, an electric water heater should be purchased. Costs to convert the fuel source from electric to gas may be prohibitive so it is best to use whichever fuel source is already installed.
Before determining the capacity of the water heater, look at your family’s needs. Also, think about the future and whether your family will increase. Purchasing a water heater is an investment and future growth should be looked at to get one that will suit you for many years. Determine how often hot water is used in your home to decide whether you have high or regular demand for hot water. For a family of two, choose a water heater that has at least a thirty gallon capacity or up to a fifty gallon capacity if hot water is used often. Families of up to four should consider a fifty to eighty gallon tank, and families with five or more should start at fifty gallons and may go to one hundred twenty if there is a high demand.
The number of gallons the water heater can heat per hour is called the recovery rate. This is also a consideration in buying a water heater. If you have several people in your home who use hot water at the same time, a higher recovery will be beneficial. However, if you have a more typical hot water use pattern, a lower recover rate can be chosen. Water heaters with lower capacities and lower recovery rates will be less expensive.
Water heaters come in a variety of dimensions. Ensure you have the proper space available to physically install it in the designated area. You will not usually have to sacrifice capacity to get a water heater with smaller dimensions. Every water heater is tagged with an energy efficiency rating. Choose the most efficient rating you can afford as this will help save on energy costs.
Water heaters are not difficult to purchase but there are a few things that need to be considered. Determine the capacity, size, fuel source, and energy efficiency needed for your home. Compare prices to determine the model that will best suit you and your family for years to come.
By: Gray Rollins -
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
The type of fuel to be used is a determining factor in which unit to choose. If you already have gas hook ups, a gas generated water heater will be your best bet. These generally save on energy costs. However, electric units can be run anywhere and if this is your primary fuel source, an electric water heater should be purchased. Costs to convert the fuel source from electric to gas may be prohibitive so it is best to use whichever fuel source is already installed.
Before determining the capacity of the water heater, look at your family’s needs. Also, think about the future and whether your family will increase. Purchasing a water heater is an investment and future growth should be looked at to get one that will suit you for many years. Determine how often hot water is used in your home to decide whether you have high or regular demand for hot water. For a family of two, choose a water heater that has at least a thirty gallon capacity or up to a fifty gallon capacity if hot water is used often. Families of up to four should consider a fifty to eighty gallon tank, and families with five or more should start at fifty gallons and may go to one hundred twenty if there is a high demand.
The number of gallons the water heater can heat per hour is called the recovery rate. This is also a consideration in buying a water heater. If you have several people in your home who use hot water at the same time, a higher recovery will be beneficial. However, if you have a more typical hot water use pattern, a lower recover rate can be chosen. Water heaters with lower capacities and lower recovery rates will be less expensive.
Water heaters come in a variety of dimensions. Ensure you have the proper space available to physically install it in the designated area. You will not usually have to sacrifice capacity to get a water heater with smaller dimensions. Every water heater is tagged with an energy efficiency rating. Choose the most efficient rating you can afford as this will help save on energy costs.
Water heaters are not difficult to purchase but there are a few things that need to be considered. Determine the capacity, size, fuel source, and energy efficiency needed for your home. Compare prices to determine the model that will best suit you and your family for years to come.
By: Gray Rollins -
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Labels: tankless water heater, tips, water heater, water heaters