Remodeling Tips
for the Green Home
by Gardner/Fox
for the Green Home
by Gardner/Fox
Domestic Hot Water
When choosing a water heating system, consider what's already available to your home. If your home has access to natural gas, it can be a very fuel efficient way to go. However, if you live in areas where it isn't available, your home is already set up with either oil or propane. If you're considering solar, remember that solar heaters are best used in areas where there's abundant sunshine.
For a cost effective system that's easy to maintain and service, then a natural gas water heater may be your best bet. Well-insulated tank-type water heaters, can rival the efficiency of tankless or on-demand systems for a great deal less cost and trouble. Plus, all water heaters, including tankless ones, have some standby heat losses. To cut standby losses, it's important to insulate the pipes.
Electric An electric water heater uses large coils that hang down into the tank. Generally, electric water heaters aren't as efficient as those powered by other fuel sources, and electricity is more expensive than natural gas or propane. However, they're less expensive up front and don't require venting. If your water demand is small, this may be the one for you.
Natural Gas Natural gas uses a gas burner with a venting chimney that runs through the center and out the top of the tank. Natural gas models cost more than electric heaters but operate more efficiently.
Propane Propane water heaters work in the same way as natural gas but with a different fuel source. Propane is generally used as a fuel source when a home doesn't have access to natural gas. An on-site tank supplies fuel to the heater.
Oil Similar to gas and propane models, oil burning water heaters mix oil with air to create a vapor mist, which is then ignited by an electric spark. Like propane, oil heat is typically used when natural gas isn't available and is also delivered to the location and stored on-site in a large tank.
Tankless Water Heaters Tankless water heaters are catching on as an alternative to storage tank models. Instead of constantly heating water in a stored tank, tankless units only heat water as you need it. Tankless heaters last five to ten years longer than storage tank models. Electric models don't produce greenhouse gases, and there's no possibility of flooding due to a ruptured tank.
There are also drawbacks to tankless heaters. Natural gas whole-house units can cost up to three times as much as conventional heaters. Although the water will always be hot, the volume may be limited since output splits between fixtures. Some homes will require larger gas lines, venting tubes or more power circuits, significantly increasing installation costs.
Solar Solar heating systems use heat from the sun to produce hot water. The heat is harvested by an "absorber" panel that typically sits on the rooftop. Tubes inside the panel either directly heat the water flowing through them or a transfer fluid that warms a heat exchanger. The exchanger then heats the water in a storage tank. These systems may be used to heat domestic hot water, swimming pools, or to provide heat for a heating circuit. Solar heating systems save energy, reduce utility costs, and produce clean energy.
Pex Water Piping Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) is a type of plastic composed of individual molecules that have been permanently linked together. PEX conserves energy and water by delivering water to fixtures faster. PEX doesn’t experience corrosion or mineral build-up and doesn’t require lots of fittings and complex connections. Installation occurs without flame, solder, or flux, resulting in zero volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions.
When choosing a water heating system, consider what's already available to your home. If your home has access to natural gas, it can be a very fuel efficient way to go. However, if you live in areas where it isn't available, your home is already set up with either oil or propane. If you're considering solar, remember that solar heaters are best used in areas where there's abundant sunshine.
For a cost effective system that's easy to maintain and service, then a natural gas water heater may be your best bet. Well-insulated tank-type water heaters, can rival the efficiency of tankless or on-demand systems for a great deal less cost and trouble. Plus, all water heaters, including tankless ones, have some standby heat losses. To cut standby losses, it's important to insulate the pipes.
Electric An electric water heater uses large coils that hang down into the tank. Generally, electric water heaters aren't as efficient as those powered by other fuel sources, and electricity is more expensive than natural gas or propane. However, they're less expensive up front and don't require venting. If your water demand is small, this may be the one for you.
Natural Gas Natural gas uses a gas burner with a venting chimney that runs through the center and out the top of the tank. Natural gas models cost more than electric heaters but operate more efficiently.
Propane Propane water heaters work in the same way as natural gas but with a different fuel source. Propane is generally used as a fuel source when a home doesn't have access to natural gas. An on-site tank supplies fuel to the heater.
Oil Similar to gas and propane models, oil burning water heaters mix oil with air to create a vapor mist, which is then ignited by an electric spark. Like propane, oil heat is typically used when natural gas isn't available and is also delivered to the location and stored on-site in a large tank.
Tankless Water Heaters Tankless water heaters are catching on as an alternative to storage tank models. Instead of constantly heating water in a stored tank, tankless units only heat water as you need it. Tankless heaters last five to ten years longer than storage tank models. Electric models don't produce greenhouse gases, and there's no possibility of flooding due to a ruptured tank.
There are also drawbacks to tankless heaters. Natural gas whole-house units can cost up to three times as much as conventional heaters. Although the water will always be hot, the volume may be limited since output splits between fixtures. Some homes will require larger gas lines, venting tubes or more power circuits, significantly increasing installation costs.
Solar Solar heating systems use heat from the sun to produce hot water. The heat is harvested by an "absorber" panel that typically sits on the rooftop. Tubes inside the panel either directly heat the water flowing through them or a transfer fluid that warms a heat exchanger. The exchanger then heats the water in a storage tank. These systems may be used to heat domestic hot water, swimming pools, or to provide heat for a heating circuit. Solar heating systems save energy, reduce utility costs, and produce clean energy.
Pex Water Piping Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) is a type of plastic composed of individual molecules that have been permanently linked together. PEX conserves energy and water by delivering water to fixtures faster. PEX doesn’t experience corrosion or mineral build-up and doesn’t require lots of fittings and complex connections. Installation occurs without flame, solder, or flux, resulting in zero volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions.
