A notice to all of
you Central
Floridians
Look for my column
"Function First", in
the Orlando
Sentinel. It will be
appearing monthly in
the Saturday Home
Fix-Up section.
Save Energy and Space with Tankless Water Heaters
Have you heard the buzz about tankless water heaters?
These compact units have been used in Europe and Canada for
decades, but they’ve only recently begun to make an impact
on the American market.
Rather than maintaining 40, 50, or more gallons of hot water in a
dedicated tank, tankless units heat water on demand, as it’s used.
The “as it’s used” part is key. In other words, none of us are using
hot water 24 hours a day, but with a traditional water heater,
we’re paying to heat water 24 hours a day.
Tankless water heaters cost more to purchase and install than their traditional,
tank-type counterparts, but in the long run, they save both money and energy.
Another savings: tankless units can last 5 to 10 years longer than traditional
tanks, plus you may be eligible for federal, state and/or local tax incentives
or rebates when installing them. (See
www.energystar.gov for a list of current
federal incentives. For state and local electric and gas company rebates and
incentives, visit
www.dsireusa.org.)
The size and number of tankless units required varies from one household to
another and is based mainly upon the volume of water needed. Rinnai® Corporation,
a tankless unit manufacturer, offers a feature on its website (
www.rinnai.us)
to help you determine if the additional cost is worth it for your situation.
To calculate your payoff period, you’ll be asked for information such as the
tankless model you’re considering and the number of people in your family.
(Larger families typically use more hot water and thus may realize payback
in a shorter period of time.)
The photo to the right shows two Rinnai units installed. Note that in this
picture only the top portion of each unit is functional. The bottom portion
covers plumbing and is an aesthetic addition only.
Because tankless units can be so compact (approximately 24” X 18” X 9” without
the plumbing cover),
choosing a tankless system can increase usable space within
a home.  Units designed specifically for exterior use can be installed on the
outside of the home as shown here, saving even more interior space along with the
cost of venting. Installing multiple units to reduce the distance between the
hot-water source and the faucet in another option. (A shorter traveling distance
equals less water wasted and less time waiting for hot water to reach its destination.)
Two additional benefits of using tankless hot water heaters include:
-
The hot water never runs out!
With a tankless heater, you can take as long a shower as you want, because the
unit will produce a continuous supply of hot water as long as the hot water
faucet is on. Note, however, that “continuous” hot water should not be confused
with “instant” hot water. If your tankless heater is at one end of your house and
your bathroom at the opposite end, it will still take time for the hot water to
arrive at the tap.
-
No chance of flooding:
If a tank-type water heater springs a leak, you may be faced with a
flood and possible water damage. Because there is no tank full of water, a
tankless unit cannot drain all over your floor.
Tankless units can be powered by gas or electricity. Typical gas-fired
systems supply between 5 and 9 gallons per minute, making them a
viable choice for whole-house use. Electric models use a heating
element to bring water up to temperature and can usually supply only
about 3 gallons per minute. They also can be more expensive to install
and operate and are usually not the best choice for whole-house water heating.
Because of the electric fan and electronic sensor inside a gas tankless
water heater, these units will not operate without electricity - hence the
outlet located between the two units in the top photo. However, you can
incorporate a backup battery to maintain programmed hot water settings and
to keep the unit operating for a certain amount of time if the power is out.
(Ask your supplier for recommendations.)
NOTE: Tankless water heaters require cleaning due to hard water-deposit
build-up. With this in mind, be certain to also ask your supplier about
maintenance requirements for the unit you are considering
Is there a
subject you’d like
me to cover? Let me
know by sending an
email to
tracy@tracystips.net.
All past issues of
this ezine are in
the Ezine Archives
on our web site.
Click here for Ezine
Archives !
Copyright © 2008
Tracy DeCarlo - All
Right Reserved
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