Water Heaters

Water Heaters are one of the biggest energy consuming devices in most homes. This cost can be reduced by deploying some energy efficiency measures. Apart from using the traditional energy efficient measures, one could replace old water heaters by those that are more energy efficient or those that use solar energy.

By using a combination of energy efficient water heaters and by applying some associated energy efficient measures, there is even greater savings, not only in the electricity bill, but also in the water bill and in the protection of the environment.

Energy Efficient Measures for Water Heaters

There are two underlying approaches as it pertains to energy efficiency regarding water heaters:

Reduce hot water usage
Use energy efficient water heaters and appliances

These efficiency measures can be achieved via the following means:

Fix Water Leaks
Install Low-Flow Fixtures
Purchase Energy Efficient Appliances
Use Solar Water Heaters

Fix Water Leaks

Hot water usage can be significantly reduced by simply repairing leaks in fixtures — faucets and shower-heads — or pipes. This reduces the amount of water required to be heated, thereby saving on the utility bill.

Install Low-Flow Fixtures

In some countries, there are regulations that limit the showerhead and faucets flow rates. For instance, for showerhead, the flow rates cannot exceed more than 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm) at a water pressure of 80 pounds per square inch (psi), and likewise, new faucet flow rates cannot exceed 2.5 gpm at 80 psi or 2.2 gpm at 60 psi.

Purchase Energy Efficient Appliances:

The biggest cost of washing dishes and clothes comes from the energy required to heat the water. Once can significantly reduce this energy cost by purchasing and using an energy-efficient dishwasher and clothes washer.

Use Solar Water Heaters instead of Electric Water Heaters.

If you have an existing water heater that is more than 7 years, it is likely that it is not an energy efficient water heater and/or it is not operating at an optimal level. In such case, it is better to start shopping for a solar water heater or a more energy efficient one.

Solar water heating or solar hot water is water heated by the use of solar energy.

Solar Heating systems are generally composed of solar thermal collectors, a water storage tank or another point of usage, interconnecting pipes and a fluid system to move the heat from the collector to the tank. This thermodynamic approach is distinct from semiconductor photovoltaic (PV) cells that generate electricity from light; solar water heating deals with the direct heating of liquids by the sun where no electricity is directly generated.

A solar water heating system may use electricity for pumping the fluid, and have a reservoir or tank for heat storage and subsequent use. The water can be heated for a wide variety of uses, including home, business and industrial uses.