Efficient Water Heaters - How To Choose One

Water heaters use 15% to 25% of a home's energy each month. That can really add up over time so it's important to select a unit that will be the most efficient for a household. There are various models of hot water heaters available as well as sizes. A homeowner should research the power sources available in his or her home and compare prices of each. Keeping a unit at a certain temperature and considering the number of inhabitants will all play a part in energy consumption and appliance choice. Consider these factors:

- Models of appliances: There are various types of units designed to provide hot H2O to a house. There is the conventional storage tank model, the tankless coil unit, the on-demand sort, heat pump devices and those that rely on solar energy to power up. While the conventional storage tank option is not the most energy efficient, it is still the model found most often in a typical residence. If space is limited, the tankless and on-demand models can be a perfect solution to space utilization as well as energy consumption. The conventional storage tank model has to store gallons for future use which is why it is the least economical to power. The tankless units only warm up liquid as it's needed.

- Sizes: The conventional reservoirs come in various sizes depending on need. If a household has lots of family members who need to wash laundry, dishes and take showers, a larger unit would be needed. Typical tank sizes range from twenty to eighty gallons. The on-demand units can heat up water as needed, so number of family members won't matter, as much, when selecting a unit.

- Power sources: If a house only has electricity running to it, that will be the option available besides solar. If a neighborhood has the option of gas or electricity, it would be wise to price the different options to see which was most economical. In some rural areas, propane gas can be used to fuel the water tanks. Solar is always a smart choice in terms of monthly utility costs, especially in regions where there is ample sunlight year round.

- Temperature: The temperature that the water is kept at in a holding tank or heated up to in on-demand systems will play a part in energy consumption. Some homeowners have their H2O heaters set to 140 degrees which is quite hot and can burn people if they're not careful. Some recommend that the temp be lowered to 120 or 130 degrees in order to save in electricity and gas and reduce possibility of scalding. Another way to save money is to turn the unit down to the lowest temp possible if you're going to be on vacation. Every little bit adds up.

When choosing water heaters, researching the options will help homeowners select the best one for their needs. It's necessary to check out the various models, consider sizes of tanks, sources of fuel to power it with and remember to set the thermostat at the proper temp degrees to save money in utilities.