When people think about a water heater, most imagine a hot water gas heater. But this is only one type of heaters currently available on the market. Modern technology offers other varieties such as solar, electric and instant heaters. How does a gas heater stand against the modern heaters? Are there any serious reasons for you to switch to a different type of heater, or is gas still the best?
Other types of water heaters
Hot water gas heater is not your only option. There are several other heaters, you can use where gas supply is not readily available. For example electric water heater is in high demand and many people prefer electric to gas. However, gas water heaters are still the most popular and majority of people who buy heaters, buy gas water heaters.
Instant hot water heaters
A recent invention is a tankless water heater. This type of heater brings you hot water the moment you turn the tap on. As the name suggests tankless heaters have no storage tank for water, they heat it as you use it. They are also called instant heaters. This is very much appreciated by many people more…
Thanks to technology, inventions help make life easier for us. It all started with the solar calculator. From there, people discovered that the sun can be used for regeneration - just like how Superman re-charges by flying to the sun whenever he is weakened by kryptonite.
One of the latest inventions concerning solar energy is the solar pool heater. Pushing the envelope further, solar home heating can also be done. This was basically inspired by the experience of getting burnt once your skin gets in contact with water (primarily from hose) that has been sitting out on the sun for too long. This is called passive solar water heating.
Before the beginning of the 21st century, states like Los Angeles and Florida have already taken advantage of passive solar hot water systems. There were a number of sytems using solar water heating that are located in the mentioned states’ roof tops.
Nowadays, the solar water heater is referred to as PSWH, Bread Box and Batch Heater. However, the technical term for this contraption is the Integrated Collector and Storage System or ICS for short.
Usually starting with 40 gallons of water in a lined tank made of glass, these systems more…
Hot water heating accounts for about 20% (or more) of the average North American household’s annual energy costs. With energy prices rising day by day it is becoming important to take a closer look at where the money is going.
The average yearly cost for a conventional gas or electric storage hot water heater is approximately $500 for a 1300sq.ft. 4 member family home. It lowers or increases depending on how many people live in the house and on their particular water usage habits.
Conventional hot water heaters store water and maintain the water temperature to the temperature setting on the tank - usually between 120° and 140° F. That means keeping water hot even when you do not need it - while you are at work; while you are sleeping; while you are away on holidays.
These “standby” losses represent 15% to 25% of a household’s annual water heating costs.
Another thing that annoys all of us, is waiting for the water to heat up because someone took a bath before us. The storage tank water heaters only have a limited amount of hot water. After that is gone you have to wait for the tank to get heated more…
Are you considering installing a solar water heater for your home? Solar heaters offer many benefits, but there are some disadvantages as well. Find out if a solar heater is right for your home.
How solar water heaters work?
Solar water heaters work pretty much the same way as any other solar powered device. Solar panels installed on your roof capture heat from the sun, than it is converted into electrical energy. The energy is stored in special batteries and the power is used as it is needed.
Quite often your hot water tank will be on the roof too, to minimize the energy loss. But solar power can be used for instant tankless water heaters as well, as for ones with a tank.
Pros and cons of a solar water heater
Advantages are obvious - solar energy doesn’t cost you anything, so you will be pleased to discover how much your energy bills go down with the installation of a solar heater. Another thing some people might not think about straight away is environmental issues. Using energy from the sun is environmentally friendly, so not only solar heater will save you money, but you more…
Solar hot water heating systems are a great way to effectively conserve energy and reduce your energy bill.
Contrary to popular belief, solar water heating is not a new technology. Solar water heating systems have been used commercially for over a century now, with the first commercial water heater (the Climax Solar-Water Heater) going on sale in 1891 in the United States. By the year 1900, over 1600 houses in California were equipped with this solar water heater.
Due to its effectiveness and low cost, the solar water heating gained popularity until, by 1941, more than half the population of Florida was getting its hot water through solar water heaters!
Solar water heating only lost its popularity as a result of lowered electricity rates, and an aggressive campaign by Florida Power and Light to increase electrical consumption. This was done by offering electric water heaters at bargain prices. Thus Florida’s solar water heating was brought to halt.
The United States is not the only country with a solar water heating history. There are many other countries where solar water heating was used in the past and has since fallen out of use - but not all more…
If you look at a modern home today you will see that there is a lot of energy needed. All this energy is needed to keep your house warm and use all the electric equipment or just to shower with warm water. The modern home needs and uses lots of energy and the costs are high. The energy demand is increasing every day world wide and energy prices are rising. For energy plants it is hard to keep up with the increasing demand and this will have its effects for the consumer. It has already happened in states like California where energy demands could not be met and total chaos was the result.
The answer for this problem can be found in alternatives for traditional energy sources. One of the alternatives is solar energy. The advantage with this source of energy is that it can be used by a single household through individual systems. The generated energy can be used to complement the traditional hot water supply, if you live in area where sunlight is in abundance it can be substitute the whole traditional electric supply. In many places, including the United States, a solar heating system can give a more…
Tankless water heaters are becoming all the rage with those who are seeking to cut money in their utilities costs while replacing that aging water heater in the home. a tankless water heater is one that is going to heat the water as you use it, not all the time as other water heaters will do.
A tankless water heater is going to heat the water that is fed through the system, and then move that water to the room where it is demanded. You can wash the clothes while you are taking a shower when using a tankless water heater. No more waiting until you are done doing the wash or the laundry to take a shower. There is enough hot water using the tankless water heater to meet all of your needs.
The tankless water heater is not something that is really new. It has been in the works, created about fifteen years ago. Now that testing in various types of situations is completed, so the system is up to the multiple demands of a home, and for commercial uses, the tankless water heater is one that is coming down in price ready for installation in your home. more…
A solar water heating system provides up to 75% of your annual hot water needs. It can be effective anywhere in New Zealand, even in less sunny areas. Over time, it can pay for itself through lower power bills. By using solar water heating, you’ll also help reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.
Relying on the sun alone using simple solar panels, especially with our New Zealand climate, however, doesn’t give us the guarantee of hot water all year round. Renowned for its range of lifestyle appliance solutions, Rinnai has launched the new Rinnai Solar Water Heating range, which lends nature a hand by adding a gas or electric boost
when skies are grey, offering an environmentally friendly option that doesn’t compromise your lifestyle or budget.
Factors such as how much sun your house receives, the angle of your house, the frequency of frost, and water quality, need to be identified to ensure solar energy is right for you. “Solar is not right for everyone, but if it’s right for you, it’s a move you will not regret, says Dave Waters, Sales and Marketing Manager of Rinnai Gas Appliances in New Zealand. “We recommend the Infinity gas boost to more…
