Electric Hot Water Heater

hotwater — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:11:27 +0000

Electric Hot Water Heater

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.

On Demand Electric Water Heater

hotwater — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 21:06:47 +0000

On Demand Electric Water Heater

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.

Water HeatersElectric Water Heater

Electric Hot Water Heater

On Demand Electric Water Heater