All About High-Efficiency Water Heater Systems
Most homeowners today are keenly aware of the rising cost of energy. That's why it makes sense to look into the purchase of a high-efficiency water heater system for your home. As water heater systems age, they lose their ability to operate efficiently. According to government sources, heating water for use in your home can account for as much as 15% of your home's total energy use. High-efficiency water heater systems, however, may use anywhere from 10%-50% less energy than less efficient units.
There are many factors that can influence the cost of operating your home water heater system. For example a larger-size household will use more hot water, simply because there are more people taking showers, washing their hands, more laundry, etc. Another factor affecting the operation of a high-efficiency water heater system is the location of the unit: if it is located some distance away from the faucet, then it will take longer for the hot water to reach the destination. Another factor that could affect the performance of your high-efficiency water heater system is the size and location of your water pipes. Larger-sized pipes will increase the water flow, and your high-efficiency water heater system will have to supply more hot water than a system connected to narrower-sized plumbing.
There are four basic types of high-efficiency water heater systems: the first is the very familiar tank-based water heater. You can purchase a tank-based high-efficiency water heater which will heat your water with electricity, oil, liquid propane or natural gas. Of course, the major drawback of the tank-based system is that it requires the use of additional energy to keep water in the tank hot. Nevertheless, a tank-based high-efficiency water heater system can save you 10%-20% in energy savings compared with low-efficiency models.
The second type of high-efficiency water heater system is a tankless system. These are sometimes referred to as "demand," or "on-demand" systems, and as they are designed to provide hot water only when you turn on your hot water faucet. A high-efficiency tankless water heater system can save you 45%-60% on your energy costs as compared to the less efficient units. One big advantage of both the tank-type and tankless high-efficiency water heater systems is their ability to provide hot water in any type of climate. Heat pump or solar energy-powered water heater systems, on the other hand, seem to work best in mild or hot climates where the temperature outside does not get too low. A third type of high-efficiency water heater system is a heat pump water heater. These units operate by moving or "pumping" heat energy from one location (typically the surrounding air) and using it to raise the temperature of your water. Compared to water heater systems that use electric resistance, a heat pump-based, high-efficiency water heater can save you up to 65% of your energy costs. If you can only use electricity to heat your water, a heat pump system is your best option. The fourth type of high-efficiency water heater system is one that is powered by solar energy. This type of system is favored by people who wish to make use of a renewable energy source -- sunlight. The downside of a solar power based high-efficiency water heater system is that they are much more expensive to purchase than other types -- but many people believe the higher initial expense will be more than made up for by the fact that you can reduce your operating costs up to 90%! If you are going to install a solar power high-efficiency water heater system, you will need to also install a backup system for use on those times when sunlight is not available.
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