These days the words 'pay less' and 'tank' usually herald an article about the rising price of filling your gas tank. However, saving money on energy bills can help you fill your gas tank, and this is all about saving money, by using a new system of economical hot water for your home.
The new concept (an old concept in Europe) of the tank-less hot water heater has recently been given a publicity boost, albeit indirectly, by none other than Brad Pitt.
A part-time resident of the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans, Brad Pitt has partnered with the Making It Right Foundation to re-build an environmentally friendly community on the Katrina-ravaged land. This idea grew after he visited the devastated site of the hurricane damage and also spoke with many homeless residents. His plan of building one hundred and fifty homes, mainly for single families, that are safe, sustainable and healthy has met with much admiration and support.
Some of this support comes in the form of a donation of tank less water heaters that are environmentally correct. In fact, no less than one hundred and fifty of these have been donated to Brad Pitt's scheme by a company called Nortiz America.
These tank less hot water units give instant hot water 'on demand' and this water is not pre-heated and stored in a holding tank. The heating system can be quite small - around two foot by one foot by one foot and Noritz have a selection including one that will service a mid-sized home with up to three showers.
Their tank less hot water heaters mean that space for the large 40 or 60 gallon water tank does not have to be found in the home. Also, because the water does not sit in a tank and 'wait' to be used, the corrosion is much less in this tank less system, and replacement systems may not be needed for over 20 years. It is much cheaper on your energy bill, as the water is not being kept continually hot.
Many other companies can be found on line which also offer this system. Heaters can be fueled by electricity, natural gas or propane. If you decide to make the switch, the government is offering a $300 federal energy tax credit to those who qualify.
So what are the pros and cons? Apart from the whole house system, there is also a much smaller-sized heater which offers a point of use function. Point of use heaters can be fitted into a cupboard by your sink or shower and they have a lower rate of gallons per minute than a whole house heater tank less heater.
Oddly enough, where you live will have a bearing on the efficiency of your water heater. If you live in cold-water country i.e. Michigan, your 40 degree Fahrenheit ground water will need much more heating than the 70 degree Fahrenheit ground water of Florida. You can calculate your gallon per minute flow rate and buy a bigger heater and/or you can adjust your water rate to a slow flow so that it heats up more.
You may just wish to install a point of use tank less heater in the kitchen, to avoid the dish-washing chore from interfering with the shower temperature in the bathroom. Either way, if you find a system that works for your home and you qualify for a federal government grant, you will be ahead of the game both environmentally and financially.
The new concept (an old concept in Europe) of the tank-less hot water heater has recently been given a publicity boost, albeit indirectly, by none other than Brad Pitt.
A part-time resident of the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans, Brad Pitt has partnered with the Making It Right Foundation to re-build an environmentally friendly community on the Katrina-ravaged land. This idea grew after he visited the devastated site of the hurricane damage and also spoke with many homeless residents. His plan of building one hundred and fifty homes, mainly for single families, that are safe, sustainable and healthy has met with much admiration and support.
Some of this support comes in the form of a donation of tank less water heaters that are environmentally correct. In fact, no less than one hundred and fifty of these have been donated to Brad Pitt's scheme by a company called Nortiz America.
These tank less hot water units give instant hot water 'on demand' and this water is not pre-heated and stored in a holding tank. The heating system can be quite small - around two foot by one foot by one foot and Noritz have a selection including one that will service a mid-sized home with up to three showers.
Their tank less hot water heaters mean that space for the large 40 or 60 gallon water tank does not have to be found in the home. Also, because the water does not sit in a tank and 'wait' to be used, the corrosion is much less in this tank less system, and replacement systems may not be needed for over 20 years. It is much cheaper on your energy bill, as the water is not being kept continually hot.
Many other companies can be found on line which also offer this system. Heaters can be fueled by electricity, natural gas or propane. If you decide to make the switch, the government is offering a $300 federal energy tax credit to those who qualify.
So what are the pros and cons? Apart from the whole house system, there is also a much smaller-sized heater which offers a point of use function. Point of use heaters can be fitted into a cupboard by your sink or shower and they have a lower rate of gallons per minute than a whole house heater tank less heater.
Oddly enough, where you live will have a bearing on the efficiency of your water heater. If you live in cold-water country i.e. Michigan, your 40 degree Fahrenheit ground water will need much more heating than the 70 degree Fahrenheit ground water of Florida. You can calculate your gallon per minute flow rate and buy a bigger heater and/or you can adjust your water rate to a slow flow so that it heats up more.
You may just wish to install a point of use tank less heater in the kitchen, to avoid the dish-washing chore from interfering with the shower temperature in the bathroom. Either way, if you find a system that works for your home and you qualify for a federal government grant, you will be ahead of the game both environmentally and financially.
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