5 Efficient Water Heaters

Energy efficiency is a key phrase for today’s homeowners. Families are increasingly looking for ways to live lighter on the earth utilizing eco-friendly technologies that will help them create greener homes. These same technologies also allow homeowners to minimize their utility expenses. Though a new water heater may cost more up front, it can yield many years of energy savings over the course of its lifespan. Consider some of these energy-efficient water heater technologies for your Dwight, Illinois home.

Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters are an extremely efficient option that will save both space and money. According to the Department of Energy, a tankless water heater will improve energy efficiency 24 to 34 percent for homes that use 41 gallons of water or less in a day. Even in homes with high water usage of around 86 gallons, a tankless installation will decrease utility bills by as much as 14 percent.

Tankless water heaters save energy by heating water only when you need it. Rather than maintaining a ready vat of water that’s constantly heated, a tankless system will simply warm the water on its way to you. These systems can heat between two and five gallons of water a minute. Combine your tankless water heater with low-flow faucets and shower heads and you can enjoy an endless supply of hot water.

Geothermal Water Heaters

Geothermal systems draw heat from the earth. This is a consistent source of heat that will never be used up, as the earth maintains the same subterranean temperature year-round. Just as a geothermal heat pump will transfer heat to your home that’s sources from under the ground, so too will a geothermal water heater. The heat is gathered via underground pipes that circulate liquid to collect warmth where it lingers deep beneath the earth’s surface.

Solar Water Heaters

A solar water heater draws energy from the sun for your hot water needs. This is one of the latest home plumbing technologies to hit the market. There are several different types of solar water heaters.

Direct systems heat water directly using the sun. These are only appropriate for climates that enjoy warm temperatures year-round. Indirect systems use a non-freezing liquid to absorb heat from the sun. This liquid transfers the heat to water in the storage tank. A forced-circulation system transfers water from solar heat collectors to the storage tank. Since sunlight is a renewable source of energy, any of these systems is more eco-friendly than a conventional water heater.

Hybrid Electric Heat Pump Systems

A hybrid electric heat pump water heater uses some of the functionality of a heat pump along with the more conventional operation of an electric water heater. Rather than generating heat independently, a heat pump is designed to utilize the existing heat in the surrounding air. This improves energy efficiency by drawing from heat that’s already available. Heat pumps are particularly efficient in warm climates, though they can still pull some measure of heat from the air in our Illinois weather.

When the heat pump is no longer capable of meeting the demands of your water heater, this system converts to electrical heat generation, so you won’t suffer from any lack of hot water. Your energy efficiency will fluctuate depending on the method of heat generation.

Condensing Gas Water Heaters

Condensing gas water heaters are similar to conventional water heaters in their use of a tank, but they utilize heat differently, which improves energy efficiency. A condensing gas water heater blows exhaust gases through the bottom of the tank to make more efficient use of this heat. A conventional system would send the gases out the flue. This type of water heater can offer thermal efficiency well over 90 percent. This is a convenient option if you’re replacing a traditional gas water heater and want a similar installation with reduced energy expense.

If you’re looking for a new water heater, contact Popejoy Plumbing, Heating, Electric at (815) 692-4471. We can help you select and install the perfect choice for efficient hot water generation and low utility bills in your home. Get the best of both worlds from your next system.

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