Stanton Homes - Building Green in the Triangle

Ever think about going tankless?

What are the real advantages of a tankless water heater?

Michelle Silvis is a showroom manager and plumbing product expert at Wilkinson Supply Company in Raleigh, NC.  Stanton Homes thanks her for sharing some great information on tankless water heaters!  Here's what she has to say about this green home feature:

Finding New Places To Save Money Every Year - While Being Green

With the current economy encouraging everyone to look at their budgets and monthly expenses under a detailed microscope, few are looking to their home as a place to save some green.

But by doing a little research and exploring the efficiencies of their residence, homeowners can easily save hundreds of dollars a year, simply by rethinking the items that are closest to them.

Water Heaters Can Make a Big Dent in an Energy Budget

The water heater is a perfect example. Up to 30% of the home's energy budget is devoted to it, though most of us never give it a passing thought. While not on the forefront of the mind throughout the day, the water heater provides much of the convenience during the morning routine.

Imagine starting your day with cascading ice cubes from your showerhead or having to wince whenever you wash your hands. Having water at the temperature required, exactly at the point needed, is indeed a modern marvel; but could it be more marvelous if it were modernized further?

How Does a Water Heater Work?

A traditional tank water heater operates by heating and storing 20 to 100 gallons of water through the use of electricity, natural gas, or other energy sources. The tank is drained whenever hot water is required and refilled upon depletion. This accounts for why no one wants to be last in line for the shower: the tank needs time to refill.

Tank Water Heater Benefits

But there are some benefits to using a tank heater:

•·         The energy used for heating is consumed at a slower rate

•·         Heat is stored for later use (moderately warm water available quickly)

•·         Temperature fluctuations are fewer at higher temperatures

Compare and Contrast - Tankless Water Heaters

In contrast, tankless water heaters heat the water as it flows through the device and do not retain water internally except for what is in the heat exchanger coil. This allows for a continuous flow of hot water and eliminates the need for "standby loss" or reheating water that has been left to cool during storage. Efficiency is therefore improved due to every drop of heated water being used (vs. heating a large batch and using only a portion of it).

Energy Efficiency - Standard Water Heater vs Tankless Water Heater

Compared to a tank heater's 60% efficiency, a Noritz tankless heater (for example) is 83-94% efficient in bringing water to the desired temperature. That means your utility bill shrinks and your carbon footprint shrinks (700 lbs of carbon dioxide per tank), all while your bath temperature remains piping hot, no matter the number of previous bathers.

Tankless Water Heater Benefits

Other benefits include:

•·         Much simpler to maintain and clean (no internal buildup or rust)

•·         Most last over 20 years, vs. an 8-10 year life expectancy for a tank heater

•·         No landfill presence (while tanks must be discarded, tankless heaters can be easily broken down, reworked, and recycled)

Where is Tankless Water Heater Usage Heading?

The downside is that tankless heaters are traditionally more expensive. But, as general opinion shifts toward leaner, greener products, so too must our public officials and public policy.

Current estimates place tankless heater use at 80% by 2019. To encourage this trend, a federal tax credit is available (up to $1,500) for most tankless purchases throughout 2009 and 2010, not counting local utility rebate programs that may be offered.

But an efficient heater, combined with the federal tax credit, and the long-established three R's of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle can combine to dramatically shrink your utility bill by 25-50% and help ease some of your financial worries.

Special thanks to Michelle Silvis and Wilkinson Supply Company for this information on tankless hot water heaters.  For energy efficient appliances and fixtures, contact Wilkinson Supply - they'll be able to compare and contrast many different models and features, to ensure you have the best product for your needs.

Wilkinson Supply Company - Raleigh
3300 Bush Street Raleigh, NC 27609
PHONE - 919-834-0395

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Tankless Water Heaters

Also called "Demand Water Heaters" or "Instantaneous Water Heaters", tankless water heaters are becoming more common.  Demand water heaters don't use a storage tank - instead, water is heated as you need it.

How Do Tankless Water Heaters Work?

Turn on the hot water to take a shower or wash some dishes, and cold water will travel through the pipes - until it reaches the tankless water heating unit.  At that point, a gas burner heats the water as it goes through a series of loops.  The result is hot water - at a rate of 2 to 5 gallons per minute.

How Much Hot Water Can a Demand Water Heater Produce?

There are a wide variety of tankless water heaters on the market today.  Most provide hot water at a rate of 2 to 5 gallons per minute.  This means that a typical full house water heater can probably support two users at the same time - say a washing machine and a shower, but not more than that. 

On the other hand, multiple uses on a standard water heater can cause the hot water tank to empty, after which users must wait for it to reheat. 

Should I Get an Electric or Gas Tankless Water Heater?

In the state of North Carolina, Progress Energy advises against purchasing an electric water heater.  A typical standard electric water heater can use as much as 4500 watts of electricity - but an electric tankless water heater can use as much as 28,000 watts, which can cause a serious problem with the electrical supply.  And Progress Energy is holding homeowners liable for any repairs or upgrades that might be required because of such a system! 

Are There Ways to Increase the Amount of Hot Water Produced?

One way to increase the amount of hot water produced can be to install a small tankless water heater unit at each appliance or area that might need additional hot water, such as a hot tub, bathroom, dishwasher, or even as a booster for a solar water heating system. 

How Much Heat Should the Tankless Water Heater Add to the Water?

Since ground temperature stays a standard 50-55ºF, you should assume that your incoming water is at that temperature.  For nearly all uses, water should be heated to 120ºF.  Thus you'll want a water heater that supports a 70ºF rise in temperature.  If your dishwasher doesn't have an internal heater, you may want your water heated to 140ºF, a 90ºF rise in temperature.   

There are a variety of tankless water heaters available, from companies like these:

You can request your builder install a specific system, or can ask what they normally install.  Most good building contractors will take into account the size of the home and the number of bathrooms, and install a system they have found to be cost effective yet efficient. 

How Much Does a Tankless Hot Water Heater Cost in the Raleigh Area?

In the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area, typical quotes for the system plus installation during the new home building process can be anywhere from $2000 to $4000 more than a typical standard tank water heater, depending on the size of the home and the type of system. 

How Much Money Does a Tankless Hot Water Heater Save?

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a tankless, or demand, hot water heater can save 24-34% more energy for homes that use 41 gallons of hot water or less daily.  And hot water usage generally accounts for 14-25% of the total energy consumed in a home.  Find out more here. 

How Do I Get a Tankless Water Heater Installed in My New Home?

Ask your builder, before constructions starts if possible, if they offer tankless water heaters.  If you have a specific brand and style in mind, ask for a price quote for the heater and all required installation (often larger gas lines will be required, and other changes will need to be made as well). 

Tankless hot water heaters are becoming more common, but are not yet included in standard building practices, mainly due to the cost involved.  But they can be a great choice to save long term energy costs and reduce reliance on natural gas, propane, or electricity. 

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Install a tankless or solar water heater to save energy costs and reduce reliance on electricity or natural gas.

Heating water takes up to 25% of the energy needed in a home, and, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, is the second largest energy expense in U.S. households.

How can you get the hot water you need, while using fewer natural resources?

Tankless water heaters

PSNC Energy in North Carolina offers residents tankless water heaters.  While not solar, these do use less energy than traditional water heaters, because they only heat water as needed.   They have an approved vendor, Rinnai, which advertises savings up to 70% off normal water heating bill compared to electric water heaters. Savings are a little lower versus gas water heaters.  If bought in 2007, homeowners can get a tax credit up to $300.  This is a very small system, only 24" tall by 16" wide, taking less space than a standard 7 foot tall and 2 foot wide water heater.

When hot water is turned on, a gas burner system is activated, incoming water has its temperature taken, and water is efficiently heated to the desired temperature.   Other water heaters heat and reheat the same water until it is used, and require a much larger tank to hold all that water.  All Rinnai Continuum systems have a 10 year limited warranty on the heat exchanger and a 5 year warranty on the remainder of the parts.

With a price tag of about $1200, plus installation, the Rinnai tankless water heater can add some upfront costs, but may be worth the long term energy savings - while reducing reliance on other energy sources.   The Rinnai Continuum heater is available from most Raleigh area plumbing subcontractors, as well as the Apex, Raleigh, and Durham PSNC Energy locations.   

There are several other kinds of tankless water heaters on the market as well - including:

The Noritz N-063S, which includes a remote control with digital display to control water temperature.  MSRP of $999, flow rate of up to 6.7 gallons per minute (gpm).   Available from at least a dozen Raleigh area plumbing contractors, you can find a complete list of local Triangle contractors at http://www.noritz.com/.

Bosch's AquaStar 2400E NG Model, suggested retail price $999.  Available at Raleigh area Lowe's hardware stores. Flow rate up to 6.4 gpm.  Twelve year limited warranty on heat exchanger. http://www.boschhotwater.com/

Unless you're installing yourself, add installation costs - you may want to get quotes from more than one Triangle contractor. 

Solar systems in combination with traditional water heaters

The other major way to save energy while heating water is to use a solar system in combination with a traditional water heater.   Solar systems, by definition, work when the sun is out.  They can't heat water at night, so a back-up system is required.

There are two basic types.  A direct circulation system, also called open loop, uses pumps which circulate household water through collectors and back into the home.  This system is common in warmer climates - in freezing temperatures, the system must be turned off and water removed from the lines.  For colder climates, an indirect circulation system, also called closed loop, works well.  In this system, pumps circulate a heat transfer fluid, which can't freeze, through the collectors and into the heat exchanger, which then heats the water that goes into the home. 

Then there are also two types of heaters.  Active solar water heaters require an electric pump to move the water from the home to the panels to be heated, then back again.  Passive solar water heaters use gravity and temperature to move the water around.  While requiring less overall energy and maintenance, this system requires a water tank to be installed either on the roof or in the attic. 

Online water heater resource

There's a great online resource to help see if a solar water heater is cost effective for you.  Go to http://www.findsolar.com/index.php?page=rightforme.  You can give specific information as to what state, county and even city you live in, what type of water heater you currently have, and what power company you use.  The cost calculator factors all kinds of details, including state and federal tax credits.

Based on an average cost across several varieties and manufacturers, the smallest system with installation and training fees comes to $3500, but after various tax credits, estimated net cost according to FindSolar is about $1600.  They estimate this system will provide enough hot water in the local Triangle climate for a family of 4.  For a family of 5-6, two solar panels are recommended, and initial cost estimates increase to $5350, or about $3000 after various tax credits. 

Greenhouse gas reductions

You may have heard companies talking about reducing greenhouse gases.  A two-panel system, providing hot water for 5-6 people, will reduce greenhouse gases by an estimated 57 tons over the 15 year life of the system, or the equivalent of 114,000 less automobile miles.  A one-panel system will save an impressive 29 tons and 58,000 automobile miles. 

Local contractors

You can find local installers at http://www.findsolar.com/index.php?page=findacontractor - just enter Wake County to get a list of local contractors, contact information, and number of solar water heaters they have installed. 

Long-term value

Compared to a standard water heater tank cost of about $300-400, it can be expensive up front to switch to a solar or tankless system.  But if you're interested in reducing long term energy costs, as well as energy consumption, consider installing one of these systems. And if you're looking at homes for sale, talk to your local custom builder about incorporating a system into your new home. 

You may also be interested in these popular green building topics:

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