Choosing Eco-Friendly & Efficient Water Heaters Perfectly

A tankless water heater

It is undeniable that water heaters are important appliance for every home particularly during winter season (October to April). Choosing the right water heater is important step to save your money in the long run because factually water heating activity can consume high amount energy up to fifteen percent or more of home’s monthly full-scale energy bill. This reason is the main rationale why there many manufactures compete to offer their best products that claimed capable to work more efficient and friendly to the environment (eco-friendly concept).

Choosing to use efficient and eco-friendly water heaters not only will bring great positive value to help your finance but also you can contribute to reduce and minimize the global warming process. There are available some types of water heating mechanisms but basically there are available two familiar models at this time that are; conventional models and tank-less models. Water heaters not only come in several options of mechanical and construction design but also they are available in a wide variety of fuels such as gas (available either propane or methane (natural gas)), electric, eco-friendly fuels (like solar energy and geothermal technology), etc. Those variety choices are positive condition that will help consumers to find and purchase one ideal unit that can accommodate their requirements almost perfectly. On other hand the variety choices sometimes will make buyers dizzy and confuse to select one of those choices.

Therefore, it is not too surprising if sometimes you will hard to find and purchase one of efficient water heaters as well as like your desire from the market. Some basic points that perhaps helpful to make your shopping to be not too difficultly are;

1. The size of the unit that usually is related and dependent on the number of your family’s member and the number of appliances which need hot water when working.
2. The average temperature setting when using the unit.
3. Qualified from Energy Star or not.
4. The SEER value.
5. Compare between features (especially safety features) and price.
6. Consider about the long warranty.
7. The energy source or fuel type.
8. The system technology.
9. And still many more.

Units that have higher value of SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) and Energy Star approved usually are offered relatively more expensive. But although you must spend more money to purchase these models but you should know that they are great choice and smart investment to save your money in the long time use because they work more satisfactorily in efficiency performance.

Tankless Models

It is undeniable that tankless hot water heaters are increasing popular day by day in modern home construction that prioritize of using good energy efficient design and eco-friendly technology. They are more preferred than conventional units because of their performance that can work more efficient, although they are relatively more expensive either for the initial price to purchase or for the installation.

Despite we cannot call them as one hundred percent as eco-friendly technology (because electric and gas are still become the popular fuel to operate them so far) but they promise to use energy more efficiently and wisely. Not only that, we can also find some of them at this day that can be combined with eco-friendly technology like solar and geothermal technology.

Tankless units are excellent choice that can work and produce the amount hot water quickly. These models don’t require a big storage tank like in traditional models that usually has function to hold and as storage space for the amount water that already heated. It means they only heat the water when user needing. This mechanism is the big reason why they are claimed better in efficiency performance.

There are some testimonials say that tankless water heaters are not too good in the flow rate performance. That’s right, and perhaps it is the single big drawback of them. Most of them usually only have flow rate from three to five gallons per 60 seconds. It is reasonable because they only heat the water when you require! If you prefer to prioritize the good flow rate performance, then gas tankless models are more advisable than electric tankless models. On other hand, their durability performance has no doubt! Because factually with the proper maintenance can make them survive more than twenty years, Wow…

Geothermal heat pump systems

They can be categorized as real eco-friendly technology because they use the naturally renewable energy and not-result pollution that can harm or damage the environment’s balance. They look better in efficiency (consume less energy around forty to seventy percent) than their previous models (conventional heat pump water heaters). They utilize the natural phenomena (the earth’s temperature that relatively constant) to heat the water.

They can keep working optimal even the outside temperature drops up to four degrees Celsius or forty degrees Fahrenheit (it is the level condition that unfriendly for conventional models).They are also relatively quieter when running, require simpler maintenance and even can be used up to more than 23 years. Using a geothermal system is smart idea that can help you to cut the use energy bill up to forty percent or more. Therefore, although the cost to buy and install them is relatively higher but there are some experts calculate as well you can get the return on investment after four to eight years!

Solar water heaters

They use solar energy from the sunlight (unlimited and free energy resource) as the main source power as obvious as their nickname. They have two basic components that are; solar collectors and storage tanks. We can find them in two popular types that are; active and passive system.

Some points that must be considered as well if you decide to use and install solar water heating system are;

1. Consider about the economic advantages. It is usually dependent on; (a) the performance of the system itself, (b) the amount hot water that you and your family need per day, and (c) the high or low solar resource, it is usually related to the geographic location where you live. But overall, they are also great alternative solution if you looking for an efficient eco-friendly water heater because factually, on average using solar water heater is helpful to decrease your water heating bill more than fifty percent! Wow excellent….
2. Analyze and calculate correctly the ideal size that can accommodate and saturate your daily demand of hot water as well. There are two commonly methods to calculate the size; storage volume and collector area. For further information about it, you can ask to contractor that you hire to install the system.
3. Don’t miss to consider about the energy efficiency rating. They usually are rated by using SF or Solar Fraction (it is range from 1.0 to 0.0) and SEF or Solar Energy Factor (it is range from 11 to 1.0). As higher value of SF and SER indicates better efficiency performance of the system. In addition, most of solar water heating systems usually is rated around 3 or 2 for SEF, and (0.75 to 0.5) is typical values for SF.
4. Ask to the contractor that you hire about the estimation of operating cost when the system working. It is useful to analyze “Is your decision to choose and install the solar water heating system in your local area more profitable or not!” Because, although using solar models is claimed profitable but not all areas qualified and recommended to use them.
5. The last, please try to find and read important information about regulations, building codes and other covenants that will meet to the right specification in your local area. This procedure is so important particularly if you decide to install the system by yourself (DIY option).