Green Hot Water Heaters

As the demand for conservation of energy is on the rise, people all over the globe are considering energy efficient homes and / or use of appliances with minimum energy consumption. Among the many appliances that use high energy, hot water heaters is one of them, which account for about 12 - 15 percent of the total household energy consumption. Hence, in recent times, new technologies are being implemented to set up green hot water heaters that run on low energy and at the same time, conserve water.

Green hot water heaters refer to those water heating systems that have been incorporated with certain efficiency-increasing features in order to minimize the environmental impacts. Generally, energy-efficient hot water heaters are referred to as green hot water heaters. In some green hot water heaters, renewable energy sources are used to heat water to reduce the cost of energy. Also, low-flow water outlets are installed in green hot water heaters, for the purpose of conserving water.

Going Green with Hot Water Heaters

If you have an old conventional electric hot water heater, you can replace it with a high energy efficient water heater. Though the initial installation cost may be high, it will continuously save energy in the long run. While purchasing such home appliances, you can compare the energy guide labels of various brands and opt for a superior quality with high energy efficiency. Some examples of green hot water heaters are as follows:

Solar Hot Water Heaters: One of the most effective green hot water heaters is the solar heater. If your home has a non-shaded roof or other such location, you can consider installing a solar hot water heater. This type of hot water heater uses clean and renewable solar energy for warming water. As per statistics, a solar water heater can reduce about 50 tons of carbon dioxide emissions in a 20 year duration. Hence, with such a solar hot water heater, you will contributing in minimizing greenhouse gases. The durability of a solar hot water heater may be as long as 30 years.

Tankless Hot Water Heaters: Tankless hot water heaters, as the name indicates, do not have water storage systems. The hot water is supplied on demand basis. Hence, this system is also referred to as on-demand hot water heaters. As only required water is heated instantly, you save energy by not heating the full tank. In comparison to traditional water heaters, the tankless variety reduces hot water energy cost by about 15 - 20 percent. Another advantage is the high durability of tankless hot water heaters. A superior quality brand may last for about 10 - 15 years.

Gas hot Water Heaters: If you are opting for a storage or tank type, you can consider installing a gas hot water heater. In comparison to the conventional electricity storage model, a gas hot water heater consumes only half the energy usage. Gas hot water heaters generally last for about 20 - 25 years. However, the energy efficiency may reduce after its usage for 10 years.

Well! These are the green hot water heater options that can be considered for replacing the old one. If purchasing an energy efficient water heater is not in your budget, you can follow certain steps to make your existing water heater a greener one. Some of the tips for making your own green hot water heaters are insulating the hot water piping, insulating the tank by fixing aluminum foil around it and installing the water heater jacket. These simple steps will ensure energy saving to some extent.