It’s hip to be green and save the planet.  Here are six tips you can try to be greener and more earth friendly.

Recycle / Compost – I certainly hope you’re already recycling, but if not, it’s time to start.  And I’d also recommend composting all your food scraps.  If you have a garden, it’s easy to do.  If not, you can get redworms and store them in your basement.  Don’t worry – they don’t smell and they stay in their enclosure.

Install CFL Bulbs – Ideally, we’d all use white LED bulbs in our homes.  However, they’re prohibitively expensive for all your light fixture at this point.  However, compact flourescent bulbs (CFLs) are reasonably priced, use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and can last up to 10 times longer.  They’re greener AND more budget friendly.

Walk / Bike - If you can, try walking or biking to work at least during the months of the year when it’s nice outside.  You also get the benefit of it being good for your health too!

Ditch the bottled water – Instead, install a water purifier on your faucet and use a stainless steel water bottle instead.  Studies have found that bottled water isn’t any better for you and in some cases worse than the stuff coming out of your tap.

Choose EnergyStar appliances - Replaces appliances can cost a little up front, but if you’ve got old, inefficient appliances, you can use a heck of a lot less energy (and save a bunch of cash in the process) by upgrading your furnace, air conditionier, water heater, refrigerator, and freezer.

Buy A High Efficiency Car – I like hybrids as much as the next guy but I’d actually recommend getting a turbo diesel.  Audi, BMW, and Volkwagon all have TDI models available in the U.S. – look into them.  Diesel is actually far cleaner than it used to be and in cars, just as quiet as using gasoline.

Saving money is in style these days, and one big area where it’s easy to save money without sacrificing your lifestyle is on your utility bill.  Here are 7 tips to get you started.

Install A Programmable Thermostat - I saved a ton of money when I got one of these installed in my house.  At night in the winter I’d let the temperature drop to 62 degrees.  I was under the blankets and warm so it didn’t matter how cool the rest of the house was.  However, it was programmed so that by the time I was getting up, we were back at 70 degrees like nothing ever happened.

Seal Leaks – While getting new windows is typically the best solution, it’s also not cheap.  You can put plastic over drafty windows and use weather stripping to keep your old windows from letting out all the hot (or cool) air from your house.

Get Rid Of Incandescent Bulbs – It’s time for a better light bulb.  While white light LED bulbs are likely the future, they’re still pricey.  However, compact flourescent bulbs last up to 10 times longer and use 75% less energy than your standard light bulb.  They cost a little more initially but they more than make up for it over the course of their life.

Close Blinds and Curtains In The Summer – Help your air conditioner out by keeping the sun’s rays out of the house and close your blinds and curtains.

Use Fans - Ceiling fans are great if you’ve got them, the breeze helps the room feel cooler when you’re in it allowing you to set the thermostat higher in the summer.  However, make sure to turn the fans off when you leave the room – fans cool people, not rooms.

Get An On Demand Water Heater - A lot of energy goes to waste keeping water hot for when you need it.  Consider getting a tankless water heater that will still provide all the hot water you need.  The difference is no water is stored, it heats the water up only when you’re ready to use it.

Upgrade your appliances - If you have old appliances like a freezer or refrigerator, consider upgrading.  My grandparents upgraded their 40 year old refrigerator this summer and saved $50/month.  At that rate, it doesn’t take long to see a savings.  If you have an old furnace or air conditioner, your savings could be even more dramatic – I got a 92% efficient furance and air conditioner a couple years back and in the peak summer and winter months, saved over $100/month.

Fix Any And All Leaky Faucets -- I can’t remember the name of the show, but a while back I was watching the History channel and they said that if all the leaks were fixed in this country, we’d cut back on our water consumption by 30% -- that’s a heck of a lot of water.

Take Shorter Showers - Sure, once in a while you need to take a nice, long hot shower.  However, every extra minute you spend in the shower adds a thousand gallons a year to the amount of water your use.  Taking 10 minute showers vs 20 minute showers can save 10,000 gallons of water a year.

Install a low flow shower head. New models can reduce the amount of water used by 75% and can still provide great water pressure.

Plant Drought Tolerant Native Plants -- Sure, there are some plants that are pretty and would look nice in your yard but if they’re not native to your area, they might not be a good purchase.  I actually had this happen, I spent close to a thousand dollars getting some ornamental plants for around my house, but they all died within the year because they wanted more water and couldn’t handle Nebraska summers.  Native plants are better suited to your climate and can typically survive without needing to be watered.  The same thing applies to your lawn -- get grass suited to your area.

Use Low Flow Toilets - It takes less water than you think to flush a toilet.  Consider getting low flow toilets.

Wash Only Full Loads -- This applies to both your washing machine and dishwasher.  This can save thousands of gallons of water a year.

Don’t leave the water running when brushing your teeth.  Turn the water on to get the brush wet, and then turn it off until it’s time to rinse.

Wash Veggies In A Bowl - Rather than leaving the water running when you’re washing your veggies, put the water in a bowl and use that water to wash them.

Keep water in a jug in the fridge. Rather than going to the sink every time you want a cold glass of water, put a gallon jug in the fridge for water.  That way you won’t spend several seconds at the sink waiting for the water to get cold every time.

Here are some basics of water heaters, and what different kinds of heaters are available. A water heater takes cold water from the water supply and heats is up to a certain temperature, ready for you to use.

There are many differences to each type of heater, but they basically have all of these components. A cold water intake is a connection from your water supply line. Water enters here on its journey to heat.

You are going to have some kind of water holding chamber. Many people thing of this at the hot water holding tank. But even tankless heaters store water in coils until ready to heat. (More on this later.) You have a heating unit that is either powered by electricity, natural or propane gas, or even solar energy.

There is a thermostat, a hot water outlet pipe, and a drain valve for maintenance and replacement.

A tank style heater will also have a pressure relief valve, which lets off excess pressure. If left unchecked it could potentially cause an explosion. Each style of water heater may have its own type of monitoring system as well.

Now when you are picking out your new water heater there are some things you need to know. One of them is what your first hour rate is, or FHR. FHR is based on the size of your family, and what variables there are, like more than one bathroom, if you have a large bath, or a Jacuzzi.

The basic guidelines for FHR requirements are; 45-55gallons for up to two people, 55-65gallons for three and so on in 10 gallon increments. These are just the basics, your needs may be more, or less, and standards may change from community to community.

There are two basic styles of water heaters, ones with holding tanks, and those that are tankless, or on demand. Both of these run on electricity, gas, propane, or solar. No matter if you choose tank or tankless, electrical heaters take far more time and energy than gas models. You have some advantages and disadvantages with each kind of heater.

Tank heaters are by far the best water heaters if you want almost instant hot water. Because hot water is stored in the tank, it gets to your faucet or showerhead within seconds.

Many people like being able to have instant hot water, but there is a big drawback. It takes a lot of energy to heat that stored water, and keep it that way. Every time the temperature drops below a certain point the heating element kicks on and heats the water back up.

For people who are trying to conserve energy, cut down on heating up water, and save a little water as well, a tankless water heater can be ideal. The advantages here are that you will use less energy, because the water only gets heated when needed, no tank to keep filled, nothing to maintain, and they usually last longer than a conventional tank model, because there are less working parts.

The drawback is that you will not get instant hot water, and may even go through a whole gallon of water before it is heated to temperature.

An electric hot water heater heats the water in much the same way as a gas version, but instead of having to cut or disconnect the gas line if your old one breaks down, all you have to do is unplug it, replace the unit, and plug it back in. With gas, the biggest problems are having to find and turn off the gas main and risking breaking the pipe when it is disconnected.

Some people argue that a gas heater won’t go out if there is a power outage, but really, if the power goes out don’t you have more to worry about than hot water? Moreover, it will heat right back up when the power comes back on right? One of the major concerns people have with natural gas or propane is the risk of fire or explosion. While electricity runs some of these risks, the chances are far more unlikely. And what if you don’t have natural gas in your area, then what?

Electric hot water heaters can also be hooked up to alternative energy sources like solar or wind turbines. With the downsizing of wind turbines, and the introduction of vertical planes, more and more people who live in windy areas are starting to use the sun and the wind or even a combination, to fully power their homes.

Electric hot water heaters will last just as long as a gas unit and will have the same kinds of warranties, but in some cases can cost much less than a gas heater. With an electric heater, if something goes wrong, usually the heating element, it can easily be replaced on your own if you have any kind of mechanical inclination. The wires are also easily removed and replaced without having to remove the whole unit. You can even find heating elements with higher outputs in some places.

When picking a new electric hot water heater, look beyond how big the tank is, and what the First Hour Rating is. The FHR measures how much water can be used in the first hour. You need to figure out what your water usage is, and factor things like growing children, if you shower or wash clothing frequently, and make sure that your FHR rating is at least a quarter higher than your needs.

Now really you should look for the longest warranty possible, because the longest ones will cost less than a hundred dollars more than the shorter one. Your longer warranty heater will have larger heating elements, better insulation and more anode rods, a corrosion fighting metal rod. They also work better than cheaper models. Note that a warranty only covers the heater itself, not any labor charges.

Before you go out and buy a new electric hot water heater, be sure to take careful measurements of both the space the new heater is going into, and the new heater. It may sound stupid but it really is a smart idea, you may find that with the smaller more efficient models, a bigger one could fit in the same space.

Make sure that your next electric hot water heater has an Energy Star Sticker, and make sure it’s the highest rating possible. This may cost you a little more initially, but it will more than pay for itself in the savings you’ll see on your utility bill.

]]> http://www.waterheatersinfo.com/electric-hot-water-heater/feed/ 0 http://www.waterheatersinfo.com/natural-gas-water-heater/ http://www.waterheatersinfo.com/natural-gas-water-heater/#comments Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:08:05 +0000 hotwater http://www.waterheatersinfo.com/?p=228 Natural Gas Water Heater

If you want an economical hot water heater, go with a natural gas water heater. Even if you are using an on demand, or tankless heater, buy one that runs off of gas whenever possible. These will run on natural gas, or even Propane.

These are ideal for people living in the country, or off the grid. A natural gas water heater will heat the water faster, with faster recovery time, and their FHR, or first hour rating is often higher than electric models.

There are many who are frightened by the idea of natural gas, that it has a higher fire and explosion risk than an electric one. The truth is that it is about the same fire hazard as an electrical heater. The big thing is, natural gas and Propane have odor added to them, often smelling like rotten eggs, and easily detected.

If you have a short or problems with your electrical unit, you may not even know until it is too late. You can tell when you may have a leak with a natural gas water heater. All you have to do is fill a spray bottle with soapy water and spray around all the connections for the gas intake line. If it gets bubbly, then you have a leak. You should have someone come in right away, after you turn off the main. You should not tighten any connections by yourself; you don’t want to mess it up.

The first thing you should do before replacing your hot water heater is check to see if it can be fixed. Usually what happens is the heating element goes out, and this part is the only thing that needs replaced.

You should turn off the gas, the water, and drain the tank. When you are draining, check to see how much corrosion and sediment is in the water. If, when you get to the bottom, it’s really bad, you should just replace the water heater. If the water is mostly clear, then it could be just the heating element.

If the element is separate from the gas intake, you may be able to replace it yourself. If it is connected to a gas line, you should call someone, You may be smart, but unless you have the right tools on hand, it’s better to just get someone who knows what they’re doing. You should get some estimates if possible, and if it costs more than to replace your natural gas water heater, or the warranty has expired, just buy a new one. Most of the time, a natural gas water heater is comparable in cost to an electric one.

You will want to look for two main things when buying a natural gas water heater. One, you need to find one that is Energy Star rated. This is a big yellow sticker that says that the heater has been approved for high efficiency.

The higher the number, the bigger the savings. You also want to find one with the longest warranty. Now don’t compromise here, mainly because a good, long warranty unit will only cost you $50-$100 more than a cheap one, so pay the extra. Make sure you measure the space you have available, you may regret it later if you don’t.

]]> http://www.waterheatersinfo.com/natural-gas-water-heater/feed/ 1 http://www.waterheatersinfo.com/ao-smith-heater/ http://www.waterheatersinfo.com/ao-smith-heater/#comments Sun, 27 Sep 2009 21:16:29 +0000 hotwater http://www.waterheatersinfo.com/?p=232 AO Smith Heater

AO Smith Heater is a company whose innovative ideas has landed them among the top five high efficiency water heating manufactures in the business. Their ideas and designs paved the way for people who want to live off the grid, or conserve energy, as well as many commercial applications. It is easy to see why they are so successful. They specialize in high efficiency, space saving designs that allow a person to place a water heater almost anywhere.

The Cyclone Xi Gas Water Heater is one of these products. Its 96% efficiency greatly lowers operating costs. The air intake and exhaust ports, water line connectors, and thermostatic setting panel are conveniently positioned so it can be placed in a corner or flush against walls, thereby cutting down on space. It has four venting options, which can be installed just using standard 3 or 4 inch PVC piping. It runs on natural gas, which is far more economical in the long run, considering that it is a tank model.

There are several products by AO Smith Heater for residential applications. For home use, there are several products, including the top of the line Conservationist Electric Water heater. It uses 3″ thick CFC free insulation for better efficiency. It also has a patented DynaClean II automatic sediment cleaner, which gives this unit high protection against lime, rust and sediment build up. Its Blue Diamond glass coated lining provides twice the break-down resistance of other models. This water heater comes with an extended, 10 year warranty on the tank and all parts which is much better than you may get with other, lower quality products.

With a combination of years of experience, efficiency, and a blend of innovation, AO Smith Heater has put together products that are not only state of the art in technology and design, but also quiet, cost effective, and look very nice. These would be a welcome addition to any homeowner looking to save money on utility bills. Because they are available in gas, electric, and soon coming out with solar power, they are ideal for anyone who is planning to use solar electricity to power their home.

With the initial costs that are comparable to standard hot water heaters, and a full warranty, why you would want to go anywhere else? Their tanks usually cost over $1000, but can be found on certain websites for a few bucks cheaper. Be sure that when you are looking for these online, that they are manufactured by AO Smith Heater, and aren’t some cheap knockoff.

AO Smith Heater websites can be found very easily so you can order quickly. Sometimes the water heaters can be shipped free to the U.S. and Canada. If you decide to find them somewhere else, make sure they are new, and still come with a factory warranty. Because this will be a major investment on your part, if you are not familiar with this company or even water heaters in general, you should really take the time to spend a few hours educating yourself on water heaters in general.

A 50 gallon water heater is what you will find in most houses, and many are getting old and worn out. Because of this, many are looking to replace it with a brand new one. Before you do, take the time to check your unit out. While it may be that the heating unit is the problem, what you need to ask yourself is, is it worth it to call someone out and replace it, when it may be cheaper and more fuel efficient to just replace it.

When you are looking to replace your 50 gallon water heater with a new one there are a few things to consider. One of them is will you choose electric, or gas? No matter how high the efficiency rating is, the best bet for a new water heater is a gas one. Some people may argue that an electric one is better and safe, but this really isn’t the case. In actuality a gas heater can not only be safer, but much more energy efficient than an electric one.

One of the biggest drawbacks to a 50 gallon water heater is heating up a full tank of water, and keeping it hot. It takes longer for an electric heater to bring the water up to temperature and more energy to keep it hot. Electricity uses a wire heating coil to heat up the water, where gas heaters use real fire from the pilot light. Since the tank uses direct heat, it reaches temperature far faster and recovers quicker than electric hot water heaters.

If you have natural gas in your area, you should be taking advantage of this option for your 50 gallon water heater. It burns better and more efficiently, and cleaner than many fuels, and doesn’t run out when the power fails. You can have hot water longer, hotter and more of it than electric heaters.

When you are looking to buy your next 50 gallon water heater, here are some tips. The first thing are going to want to look for is the Energy Star Sticker. This will tell you that the heater is a high efficiency unit, and the higher the rating, the higher the energy savings. No matter what heating source you plan on using, make sure this number is the highest you can afford.

The other thing you need to look for is a warranty, the longer the warranty the better off you are. Realistically, a higher warranty only adds fifty to a hundred dollars more than a model with a shorter warranty, so you might as well just spend the little bit extra to get many years of service from your unit.

Usually when you get a longer warranty, the 50 gallon water heater is manufactured better. The heating element will be larger, and the metallic rods inside the tank that helps reduce corrosion will be bigger.

You can find more information on what other things you will need to know, like what the first hour rating is, or FHR, and how it is used to determine water usage. While a 50 gallon water heater may suit your needs now, you may want a bigger or smaller one after the warranty has expired, usually in about 10-12 years, depending on if you have hard water or not.

If you are looking for an energy efficient way to bring hot water in your home, try an on demand electric water heater. What is an on demand water heater you say? An on demand water heater does not have a holding tank for water, and this has many advantages. Some will ask why is this better when there is no tank? How will it heat the water for a nice hot shower?

Okay this is how an on demand hot water heater works, whether it runs on electricity or gas. The unit doesn’t have a cumbersome tank, so it is far smaller than a traditional water heater, but not so small it doesn’t work well. You have a water intake connection, a hot water line out, and an electrical cord, or gas line if you choose. Inside the housing are two coils that fill most of the unit. The larger coil carries water through the system, and another coil is either wrapped around the first coil or right next to it. This smaller coil is the heating element. You have your thermostat controls, usually electronic to save on working parts.

Now while you do have constant pressure within the water coil, it only flows when you turn on the hot water. When this happens, a sensor is tripped and the heating element gets hot, heating the water as it passes through the coil which comes out as hot water. There isn’t a tank, so the water heats up as it flows through the system instead. When you are finished using the hot water, the flow stops, and the on demand electric water heating element also turns off, until the next time you use it.

If you are trying to conserve electricity, and living on a solar grid, an on demand electric water heater can greatly reduce the draw on your power grid. Even if you are still using municipal power, it can greatly reduce your utility bills, 10% or even more, depending on your usage. One of the significant ways it will save money is that it won’t be constantly turning on and off to keep a tank of water heated. You only use energy when you need it.

You can find many on demand electric water heaters online, and there are many companies that are found only on the internet. Many are quite reasonably priced under $1000 and in some cases under five hundred. For example, Bosch sells many inline hot water heaters for under $500, one sells for even less than $450. This is far cheaper than your conventional models.

Make sure that you buy an on demand electric water heater with the longest warranty you can find, usually the better warranty only raises the price around fifty dollars. If you are that worried about not having enough hot water on demand, then for these prices you could purchase two, one for close to bathrooms and laundry areas, and one in the kitchen under the sink to supply the sink and dishwasher.

]]> http://www.waterheatersinfo.com/on-demand-electric-water-heater/feed/ 0 http://www.waterheatersinfo.com/waterless-water-heater/ http://www.waterheatersinfo.com/waterless-water-heater/#comments Sun, 27 Sep 2009 21:05:40 +0000 hotwater http://www.waterheatersinfo.com/?p=222 Waterless Water Heater

Actually, a waterless water heater does have water, just not in a holding tank that wastes energy. A waterless water heater has coils inside of it, one for the water, and a heating element coil. When not in use, the heating unit is off, when the water begins to flow through the unit, the heat kicks on, and hot water comes out the other end.

Recovery rate depends on a number of factors, including what the unit is rated for. If you aren’t using multiple applications at once, running the dishwasher while taking a shower for example, you are going to have a lot less hot water. However, the nice part about these units is their size, and they can fit into places and ordinary hot water heater could not only fit into, but would break through because of the weight.

The big difference between a waterless water heater and a conventional one is that the unit is not constantly trying to keep a big tank of water hot. With a conventional water heater, you have a tank of water that has to be continuously maintained at a certain temperature. Every time the tank cools, the heating element kicks in, wasting money.

If you want hot water faster, and more reliably, then it is a good idea to buy a gas waterless heater. Gas has many advantages over electric. Gas burns hotter, heats the water faster, and burns cleaner. Hot water recovery times are much less than with electric. The only drawback with gas is that you have to call the utility company and have them come out and install pipes and the heater.

With an electric waterless tank, you can pretty much place them wherever you need, without having to put in new gas lines. If you have a socket close to where you want to put it you can. Electric heaters also are made with alternative power sources in mind, whether it’s solar or wind turbine or even in some locales, hydroelectric. Because these heaters are not trying to keep a big tank hot, they only work when you need them too.

You can find waterless water heaters in many of the same places you would find conventional appliances. If you look at the cost of a waterless tank over standard heaters, you will find that the prices of the two different models are very comparable. Once you factor in the energy savings, the overall price is even lower.

When looking for your new waterless heater, look at the Energy Star Rating, the higher the rating, the more money you will save. Look at the heat recovery as well. If you want a constant supply of hot water, you will want a unit with a high recovery rate. Also, get one with the longest warranty, because it is only up to $100 more than one with a shorter warranty. Even though they have no tank, and no external things you have to deal with, it is recommended that you have a qualified technician service the unit at least once a year.