Are you interested in reducing your power bills and energy consumption? If so, water heaters and their energy savings may be something to consider. Water heating costs can account for up to 40% of the average electricity bill, so it’s important that you do what you can to lower your rates. Let’s discuss how you can reduce the amount of energy it takes to keep your family comfortable and healthy by installing a new water heater that meets today’s efficiency standards!
What Is An Energy-Efficient Water Heater?
Some of the most efficient water heaters are creative and innovative. This means they find efficiency in different ways to provide hot water with less fuel. They include solar water heaters, heat pump water heaters, indirect water heaters, and integrated space/water heaters.
When you buy a water heater, it is important to know what type of system you want. There are many types of new energy-efficient water heaters now. And if you choose the right one for your home, they can be much cheaper than the old ones. For instance, an electric heat pump water heater is more efficient than an electric conventional storage water heater.
When you are purchasing a water heater, keep in mind that there are many models to choose from. If you are replacing an old one, think about what kind of upgrade is best. And if you are getting a new house built, make sure that you choose the best model for your new home’s layout.
If you are interested in reducing your power consumption and utility bill, Solar3d can assist you with more information about energy-saving water heaters. We strive to connect our clients with leading professional services and installations, all for the best pricing. Our representatives can help you understand your options with credit and offered incentives for this energy-efficient option.
How Do I Know If My Water Heater Is Energy-Efficient?
Now that you know what a high-efficiency water heater does and why you want one in your home, it could be a good idea to figure out whether or not you already have one. If your water heater is old, it might not be able to heat the water as well as newer ones. For instance, if your system is ten years or older, then you may want to replace it soon and buy a high-efficiency model so you can save money on your utility bills.
To figure out the age of your water heater, find the manufacturing company’s label. The month and year it was made are usually in the serial number. If you own a water heater that uses less energy, there should be a bright yellow label on it. This label should tell how much energy it takes to run each year. More modern units may have new UEF labels with the same information but also with a First Hour Delivery (FHD) or Gallons Per Minute (GPM) rating on them. With this info, you will know how much hot water flows out of the tank.
Can A New Energy-Efficient Water Heater Help Save Energy?
With a gas water heater, only about half of the fuel energy remains to the point of use. New efficient water heaters can equate to a reduction of this wasted energy. For example, if you have a small tank, it will be more efficient. Large tanks have a bigger surface area, which means they lose more heat. That makes them less efficient than small tanks. This is especially important if you buy off-peak electricity from your utility company and need a water heater with enough carry-over hot water. The most efficient water heaters are tankless ENERGY STAR models which use gas.
Do Energy Efficient Water Heaters Qualify for Any Tax Credits?
The government offers savings for efficient unit upgrades. It can be up to $300. You can get it if you buy a water heater that is more energy-efficient to suit their requirements. There are three things the IRS wants before they give you this money:
First, the water heater needs to have a UEF of at least 2.2. The UEF measures how efficient the heater will be and is a good way to know how good the water heater is. Second, the water heater must be installed by December 31, 2022, unless the tax credit is extended, which it has been many times. And finally, the hybrid water heater needs to be in your home, and it needs to exist.
Taxpayers who want to use renewable energy for upgrades to their homes may be eligible for certain tax credits.
The Residential Energy Efficiency Property Credit includes things like fuel cells, solar energy, wind power, and geothermal energy. This credit is for 30% of the money spent on things like solar panels, solar water heaters, fuel cells, small wind turbines, and geothermal pumps. You can get a credit for certain fuel cell properties. The credit is limited to $500 for every one-half kilowatt.
What Type Of Energy Efficient Water Heaters Are There?
Some water heaters find the heat they need from other sources. Some sources of heat are outside air or the sun. This technology can make things inexpensive for you since they use less fuel. They include a heating pump, indirect water heater, integrated space/water heater, and solar water heater.
What Type Of Water Heaters Are Most Energy Efficient?
When you are comparing water heaters, it is important to know that storage tanks have some waste. When the water sits in the storage tank, it cools. This means that when the heater heats up the water, some of it will get wasted because it has already cooled down before you use it. In contrast, a tankless heater does not need to heat the water before it is needed because it instantly heats it upon use and only applies heat to the specific amount of water you use. This results in saving more energy. The government has summarized the energy savings this way:
- A tankless water heater utilizes less energy than a regular water heater. Tankless heaters can be 24-34% more efficient.
How Much Energy Can An Energy Efficient Water Heater Save Me?
When you want to heat water, there are many types of water heaters that you can use. Although, some are more energy-efficient than certain other kinds of hot water heaters. If you use a lot of hot water and want to save energy, you can make your home more efficient with tankless water heaters. For instance, if you install a dictated water heater at each hot water outlet, the energy savings could equal between 27%–50%.
How Do You Know When To Replace A Hot Water Heater?
There are many indicators that it may be time to upgrade from your old unit. Here are some of the main ones:
THE SYSTEM AGE
How long do water heaters last? Most water heaters last from 15 to 20 years. If your water heater is older than 20 years, it may be time to put in a new one. A water heater will start to work less efficiently as they get older. You can save energy and money if you replace it before this happens.
LOSS OF HOT WATER VOLUME
When there is not enough hot water coming out of the water heater, it might be time to replace it. If you find yourself taking colder showers, then they might want to think replacement. This is a warning that your water heater will stop working soon and that it should be replaced with a new one.
RISING HEATING BILLS
The hot water in your home should typically use the same amount of energy throughout certain times of the year. If you notice your energy bill has risen, especially during colder seasons when hot water is in higher demand then you may want to check the age and efficiency of your water heater.
CORROSION
You should not see corrosion on your water heater until it is really old. If you do, the water heater may not be able to be fixed, and you might need to buy a new one.
REDDISH DISCOLORATION IN THE WATER
If you turn on the tap and there is a red color, it could mean that the inside of your hot water heater tank is rusting. This is another sign of corrosion and most likely a possible reason for replacement.
TOO MANY REPAIRS
When you have a hot water heater it shouldn’t give you many problems. That means it should not need to be repaired more than once every year or two. Instead of spending money on fixing your water heater, you could arrange for a new installation.
How Long Do Water Heaters Last For?
Depending on what type of water heater you have will determine its life expectancy. You can expect tank-style water heaters to last between 8 and 12 years. Tankless units however can last up to 20 years, which is another reason why they are a better purchase. You can discover how old your water heater is by looking at a number on the bottom of it.
Conclusion
It can be difficult to know how you can save on your utility bills with ever-rising energy costs. One of the easiest and most effective ways is by making the switch from a standard water heater to an energy-efficient one. Your new water heater will provide better performance at every level and consume less electricity than traditional models. This means that in addition to saving money, you’ll contribute fewer carbon emissions into the atmosphere too!