Do Other Countries Use Tankless Hot Water Heaters?
Instant hot water heaters originated in Europe after World War II. They are also used in Asia where the ground water is warmer compared to other parts of the world. Although tankless heaters were introduced in the USA before Canada, the tankless design was not accepted at first. However, in recent years, instant hot water heaters have been gaining market acceptance and market share in the US mainly because of their energy efficiency and sponsorship of the federal government.
Virtually all developed countries use tankless hot water heaters. In the Western European Union various names are used: a geyser, the hot water boiler, electric water urn and electric dispensing pot. In Australia and New Zealand a similar tankless heater is termed a chip heater. Tankless water heaters are also found in India, Singapore and numerous other Southeast Asian countries.
Electric instant hot water heaters are replacing conventional water heaters in the US because of several reasons.
First, there is no standby heat loss or the heat and energy wasted when heating water and then storing it inside a tank. Most on-demand water heater manufacturers and consumers see this as a definite way of conserving energy. This is also the reason why the federal government is providing incentives and tax credits to consumers who are installing tankless water heaters.
Secondly, tankless water heaters provide instant and continuous hot water unlike traditional water heaters where the water cools down after a while and needs to be reheated. Aside from the standby heat loss, there is significant delay on the next batch of properly heated water when the hot water inside the tank is exhausted. Recover times for 40 gallon tanks range around 1 – 1.25 hours.
Third, the compactness. Electric instant hot water heaters come in a compact design without needing an exterior vent, allowing a more convenient installation and providing a smaller footprint inside the bathroom, kitchen or garage. Depending on the type of instant hot water heater used, it can be installed inside a closet or even under the sink. However, installation must be considered thoroughly to prevent heat loss of the water running through lengthy pipes.
Incentives and rebates.
The prevalence of instant hot water heaters in various parts of the world is due in part to the support by federal governments. The attractiveness to consumers is the energy savings. Some foreign countries have only cold water piping throughout the house with all hot water being provided by tankless point-of-use (POU) heaters located strategically where needed.
In Canada, the government is offering at least $300 Canadian of rebates for homeowners with gas heat exchangers. There are also grants offered by different cities and provinces for residential users who will replace their existing tank-type water heaters.
The US federal government is offering a federal tax credit of up-to $300 (USD) of the total cost of the unit, including installation, of gas tankless hot water heaters through 2011 for existing, primary residences.Electric storage tank and electric tankless water heaters are not eligible for tax credits.To guarantee that you can apply for the tax credit, the unit must meet the required 0.82 energy factor (EF) or at least 90% thermal efficiency.
Tankless hot water heaters are relatively new in North America due to the predilection of residents to tank-type water heaters or boilers. This can slowly change with the growing popularity of alternative energy sources and the foreseeable increase in energy costs. More designs are also being manufactured and introduced into the market, which promises better performance and efficiency of tankless hot water heaters in the future.
Leaking Water Heater – Tips On Prevention
You get up one morning, ready to take an invigorating warm bath only to discover that there’s no hot water. You check your utility room to see that there’s a huge puddle of water for you to swim in.
A leaking water heater is bad news for any homeowner.
It could mean a flooded home, a damaged carpet, warped floorboards and walls, and even mold if the problem goes on long enough. Plus, getting it repaired can cost you a fortune.
Water heaters, in general, are very durable equipments. They have been built to last for years. The only time that you notice your water heater is when it starts leaking and it stops working like it’s supposed to.
Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to prevent a leaking water heater and make sure you don’t encounter any of the major problems mentioned above. Here’s a brief guide on how to keep your water heater safe, sound, and at operating capacity.
Basic Monthly Check
Every month, check if there is any spraying near your heater. If yours is suffering from a slow leak, you might not see spraying but there would be water droplets or mist outside of the tank.
Check the walls and floors. Are they deteriorating? Do they feel soft to the touch? Are there mold and mildew build-up near the water heater? If you answered yes to any of those questions, chances are, you have a leaking water heater and it MUST be checked!
Check The Tank
Make sure every part on your tank is free from any leak or damage. If you spot a rotting one, plagued by rust, you should replace that part immediately. Such rusty portions of your water heater, especially those in the tank, can easily cause leakages.
Exhaust The Water Tank Twice A Year
After using it for a very long time, it’s possible that there is residue build-up near the bottom of your water heater’s tank. Such residue can cause rust, and rust can lead to leaks. To prevent such residues, empty your tank and clean it at least twice a year.
Take note, however, that you need to be extra cautious in performing this step. Shut down the electricity before emptying your water heater. Or, if you’re not confident about it, it’s better to get a trained individual to get the job done.
Check For Electrical Problems
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to tell if your heater is having an electrical problem. But you do need to stop, look, and listen. Do you hear crackling, popping, and other not-so-common noises coming from your heater? If you do, you better call an electrician. Such electrical issues can lead to problems worse than a leaking water heater!
Install A Drip Pan to Prevent a Leaking Water Heater
No matter how good you are at maintaining your water heater, it’s still a mechanical unit and will stop working like it used to. What should you do?
For around $10, you can get a drip pan for your water heater. The drip pan sits right under your heater and catches dripping water. From there, it takes the leaked water to a suitable drain. Keep in mind, however, that you need to remove the entire water heater to put the drip pan in place. It might be better to call a plumber for this.
Thanks Chris for this detailed guide for checking leaking water heater.
Selecting an Energy Efficient Water Heater
Everyone needs hot water for your house and this is where you can lose a lot of money. If your hot water heater does not have the energy star rating on it, you might be in trouble. This is because you are going to spend more money for electricity to heat your water. If you have an energy star rating on the water heater, you are guaranteed that this appliance is going to save you at least 30% compared to the regular heater. There are many types and sizes of water heaters that you can get for your house. How much hot water that you need, will decide the amount of money you will save.
Depending on the type of water heater you get, it will determine how much you can save. The water heater types are described for the way that they store the water while being heated. You can get the conventional water heater which stores the hot water. Demand hot water heaters give you hot water without storing any water.
You can also get your hot water through a solar power. Heating your water up by sunlight might be the cheapest way if you are looking to save money.You have to consider the type of heat source you are heating your water with. Some fuels are cheaper than others. You also have to think of the size of the tank you need for your house. All these things that can change how much you save on your water heater.
Energy Efficient Water Heaters Gas
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Water heaters are an integral part of all modern homes. They allow us to wash our clothes, take showers, baths, do the dishes and even care for minor injuries or ailments that we may get. However, they are also a large part of the problem when it comes to going green as they can consume up to about twenty-five percent of the energy used in homes. This is because they have to maintain a constant temperature every minute of every day and must use some sort of heating element to do so.
Thankfully, there have been many advancements in the last ten years or so with making many of the commonly used (gas and electric) water heaters more energy efficient. This has led to many manufacturers to produce these as they have, not only a real world use, but also a fad use in the green movement. The main differences is that these newly designed models of water heaters are better insulated and also use different heating techniques to reduce the energy that is being expended on a single tank. Unfortunately, the cost of manufacturing these newer models is more expensive because of the added materials that go into them. In general you can expect to pay about twenty to twenty-five percent more for these than a traditional water heater.
Despite the drawbacks of making that initial investment you can expect to see between a ten and fifteen percent decrease in your monthly gas or propane bill by investing in one of these. To add to the incentive of making the right decision for the environment, the government is also offering a tax credit that will pay up to thirty percent of the total cost of the water heater if it is purchased in by December 31st, 2016.
Bosch Tankless Water Heater
Bosch tankless water heaters are some of the best tankless water heater units currently on the market. Unlike other top brands, such as Noritz, Rinnai, and Paloma, Bosch tankless water heaters have been designed specifically with the US market in mind. As a result, they tend to be easier to install than some other brands.
Gas and Electric Models
Unlike Noritz and Paloma, which only have gas tankless water heaters, Bosch offers both gas-powered and electric-powered tankless water heater models. Like other brands, Bosch's gas-powered tankless water heaters are able to provide an endless supply of hot water for multiple showers and appliances in a home. These models are ideal for larger families.
Although not as well known as gas-powered tankless water heaters, electric tankless water heaters are actually far more energy efficient (98% efficient, compared to the 80 – 84% efficiency of a comparable gas-powered model). However, the Bosch PowerStar AE125, the larger of the two electric tankless water heaters, provides only 3.7 gallons of hot water per minute. At 105 degrees Fahrenheit, that means consumers can use the water heater to provide heat for just one shower at a time. The Bosch electric tankless water heaters are ideal for someone living alone or with just one other person who doesn't need to shower at the same time.
Bosch AquaStar 2400ES Gas Tankless Water Heater
The Bosch AquaStar 2400ES is Bosch's flagship model. With an efficiency rating of 82%, it is not as efficient as some of its competitors, but it still qualifies for a Recovery Act tax credit, making it a smart purchase for most families. As Bosch brags on its website, the AquaStar 2400ES can save your family up to 50% on your monthly energy bills. If you get the federal tax credit, plan on staying in your home for more than a few more years, and use a lot of hot water, the Bosch AquaStar will quickly pay for itself.
Point-of-Use Bosch Products
Bosch's Ariston Mini-Tank Point-of-Use tankless water heater installs directly at a sink to provide instant hot water. Electric powered, the Ariston Mini-Tank can be installed in a small, enclosed space with zero need for any type of ventilation (unlike the large, gas-powered AquaStar). Point-of-use tankless devices eliminate any need for wasting cold water while you wait for the water to warm up. Another way to use Bosch's point-of-use models is to place it in-line with your main water heater. By the time you exhaust the supply in the smaller, point-of-use water heater, the larger water heater is ready to start providing hot water for other applications. You can think of this method of using a point-of-use tankless water heater as the “hybrid car” of the water heater world.
If you're interested in purchasing a Bosch tankless water heater, choose the model that's appropriate for your situation by visiting the “Product Selector” section on their website. By asking a few simple questions, the website automatically eliminates the products that aren't right for you, thus making your research into Bosch's products easier and quicker.
Takagi Tankless Water Heater
"I have had a Takagi Tankless Water Heater in my house for 15 years and have not had a bit of problems. We all take long showers. And its great ... knowing I wont run out of hot water all the way thr0ugh the shower." ~ConsumerReports.org Reader Kent Milbergerf
Takagi calls themselves the “pioneers” in the tankless water heater industry, and that's a title they might just deserve. Like Noritz, Takagi is a Japanese company that's been creating tankless water heaters for half a century. They moved into the North American market only recently, in 1995.
Unlike most gas-powered tankless water heaters, which have energy efficiency ratings that generally fluctuate between 82% and 85%, Takagi's tankless water heaters have an energy efficiency rating of 92% for natural gas and 95% for propane. This incredible energy efficiency rating means that Takagi's tankless water heaters nearly out-perform even electric tankless water heaters (which have the highest energy efficiency rating in the tankless water heater world).
You'll Pay More, But You'll Get More
The downside of Takagi's tankless water heaters is that they are some of the most expensive tankless water heaters on the market. Together with the cost of the unit itself and installation, you can expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $2,500. If you choose to purchase a Takagi, be sure to apply for a Recovery Act tax credit, which will pay for 30% of the upgrade up to $1,500.
Despite the higher cost, Takagi makes some of the best tankless water heaters available. Besides the aforementioned high energy efficiency rating, Takagi's tankless water heats have a number of other impressive features. For example, Takagi tankless water heaters are typically more durable than those of its competitors; most tankless water heaters have a life expectancy of about 20 years, whereas Takagi tankless water heaters last closer to 25 or even 30 years.
Committed to Safety and Green Energy
Takagi tankless water heaters include several safety features not offered by other brands:
* Water temperature is factory-set to 122 degrees Fahrenheit, to prevent accidental scalding.
* Built-in exhaust fan automatically expels potentially harmful gases.
* Computerized safety system self-monitors for any type of over-heating or gas build-up.
* The absence of a pilot light makes Takagis especially safe in earthquake-prone areas, such as northern California.
* Takagi has certifications on its models from the National Sanitation Foundation, the Canadian Standards Association, and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
Furthermore, Takagi works hard to make sure that its models are as green as possible. Besides being an Energy Star partner, Takagi is also a member organization of the US Green Building Council, the licensing organization for LEED-constructed buildings and homes.
In short, although Takagi tankless water heaters cost more than most other models, there's a good reason for the higher cost – Takagi makes a higher-quality product. If you're willing to pay a little extra for a Takagi, you'll be glad that you did.
Find more tankless water heaters here:
http://www.waterheatertalk.com/best-tankless-water-heater-reviews
Tankless Water Heater vs Tank Water Heater Comparison
Every homeowner will eventually find themselves facing the inevitable expense of replacing a water heater. For many years the choices were limited, with the main decision concerning the size, brand comparison, and cost. Homeowners today have much more to choose from, with even solar powered models becoming more and more affordable. In today's market, easily the most hotly debated topic when discussing water heaters comes down to tankless, or the traditional tanked models. Which is best? Which will best meet your individual needs?
There is a lot to take into consideration when making this decision. To determine which is best for you, you’ll need to examine a host of factors including your household usage, the climate you live in, and installation concerns.
A tankless heater does have some advantages over the freestanding units. The primary difference is that with a "tank" model, the water is constantly heated and kept at a temperature you select. The tankless units, on the other hand, use gas burners that instantly heat the water only as you need it. This does result in lower costs to heat the water. If that was all the information a consumer had to go with, the choice would be obvious- tankless is better. But wait, there is a lot more to consider.
According to Consumer Reports, based on a study conducted in 2008, the average savings you'll get with a tankless model is only 80 dollars per year. When you pit that savings against the higher cost of the unit itself, coupled together with higher installation costs, and much more maintenance, those savings quickly disappear.
If you are purchasing your water heater with the idea of "going green", and you can't afford the transition to solar, the tankless model will be the way to go. If you are willing to spend a bit more to be sure you use less of the earth's resources the higher cost in installation and maintenance may seem a small price to pay.
