Tankless Water Heaters Are a Green Way to Live

Environmental issues pop up almost daily in the media so that we are becoming conscious of how much the planet needs our support. And if you are like me, you are reminded every time you put the trash out. This is why I was happy to discover tankless water heaters. While Europeans picked up on this efficient heating system decades ago, we are just catching on to the good report card these water heaters have.

One plus is their longevity, a factor when it comes time to send your old water tank to the landfill. These electric tankless water heaters are about the size of a pizza box, and if that weren't impressive enough, these units can bee be refurbished, making tankless the last water heater you may ever need to buy.

When it comes to heating appliances, gas usually has the advantage, although things have changed some in recent years. If you are looking to replace your hot water tank and your needs are low to moderate, and you live in the southern half of the U.S. you might consider an electric tankless water heater.

They are easy to install and have the energy savings that count. Once you take the simple measurements outlined on most manufacturers' websites, you should have a pretty good idea of what's right for you. And if you like the idea of continuous hot water, a tankless is probably the answer.

If you have DIY skills look into an online purchase and doing the installation yourself. The electric tankless models are about the size if a PC and weigh even less. Hung on the wall with ready accessibility to plumbing and wiring they are easy to install. When installing each type has special considerations. For electric it is the need for a breaker panel that has the capacity for 80 to 120 amps.

Gas units are also a compact size and are designed to take replacement parts. These units can be fired by natural or propane gas and can be mounted on a wall. For anyone wishing to avoid fresh air and exhaust venting issues there are exterior mounted models to choose from.

In any situation where there is high demand for hot water in the home or because climate makes a big difference between ground water and showerhead temperature, added measures can be taken to maximize economy.

You will get the most from your heating unit by using water saver showerheads, and generally being aware of how hot water is being used in the home.

Some examples:

2 gal shaving
4 gal hands and face
5 gal preparing a meal
20-25 gal for 15 min shower with water saver nozzle

Other good hot water options include insulating pipes and installing small on-demand heaters as a zone water heating system.

Steps like these can add up to significant savings and a sense of satisfaction from doing something good for the environment.

There are long-term savings as well: Tankless systems are less prone to rust and corrosion, so the expected life of a tankless system is about 20 years, while a storage tank's life expectancy is 12 - 15 years.

And there is a tax credit waiting.

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