Showing posts with label Green. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Green. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Go Green - Tankless Water Heater

By now you've probably heard of the popular tankless water heater (TWH). If not, you may have an interest if going green is an important issue to you. The tankless hot water heater is an efficient alternative to the conventional energy wasting tank type hot water heaters. Let's take a look.

Traditional tank type hot water heaters were designed in a time when energy savings was not a big issue. This is obvious when compared to tankless water heaters. Tank type hot water heaters constantly have to heat and store hot water. This is not a very efficient way to address your hot water needs. But, it is the most widely used form of heating water in America today. The main inefficiency with these types is the constant heating and reheating of hot water when we don't really need it. When were in bed at night, when were away on vacation, or even when were at work during the day our tank type hot water heater is burning energy. This constant energy usage is borderline frivolous. Now, if you have a tankless hot water heater you don't have to worry about this, as they only heat water when we need it.

Tankless hot water heaters do not have to rely on a hot water storage tank. They heat water as it passes through the heater unit. This puts you in a big advantage when compared to traditional ways of heating and storing hot water. It should be noted, however, that there are a few drawbacks at this point in time. Tankless hot water heaters are considerably more expensive than their traditional counterparts. Many will cost double of what a tank water heat would cost. When you look at the efficiency advantage, however, it's really worth the extra cost. If you're in the process of designing a new home, installing the TWH is really a no-brainer. Being that your main costs are just the unit purchase price, the savings to your energy bill will more than make up for this over time. The main cost consideration that we see is that of installation. This is especially true when it comes to replacing a traditional unit. The construction costs associated with replacement can be considerable, so you'll need to consider these when weighing the pros and cons of going with a tankless water heater.

Now, when you go to purchase a TWH you'll find that there are two common choices. The two common types of of these are either electric or gas tankless water heaters. If you're going for a entire house unit the gas tankless water heater is a common choice. Most of the electric units available today just don't have enough power to supply hot water to an entire house. Gas tankless water heaters, on the other hand, have sufficient flow rates, which allow for simultaneous hot water usage. The drawback that comes from utilizing a gas set up, is the cost associated with installation. Installation should be handled by a qualified professional and unless you're highly skilled at construction this project is probably most suitable for an experienced contractor. The reason being is that there are often complications. Setting up a gas unit typically involves the running of gas lines, special combustion requirements, and in the running of exhaust.

Electric units are much more economical to install, because they don't have the complications like their gas brethren. Worst case install scenario is usually the running of additional power or power box changes. Electric units are great when utilized at a point of use hot water location. They can be set up in bathrooms, and kitchens or remote locations. And because they're right at the hot water source, they can be very efficient. The technology of electric units is quickly improving, and it won't be long before they have sufficient electric units for whole house applications.

If you'd like more information on how the new tankless water heater works you can visit the site for a more details. For more on the gas tankless water heaters you can find more specifics on that as well.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Frank_Rodriguez

Thursday, June 16, 2011

How Does A Tankless Water Heater Save Money And The Environment? Maui Hawaii

Imagine having and endless supply of hot showers while at the same time saving money and helping the environment. Sound impossible? Not when you consider the fact that the amount of energy wasted in North America each year to simply keep a tank of hot water permanently on standby and ready for our use (even while we sleep)is enough energy to power a small third world nation. Why are we spending our hard-earned dollars to consume fossil fuels in our sleep to heat a tank of hot water that we will never use?
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Tankless water heaters only consume energy when you use hot water and instantly heat your water when you turn on the tap. Tankless water heater technology has been a proven solution for over 25 years in Europe and Japan and is just now exploding in demand across North America as homeowners wake up to the benefits of tankless hot water heaters. Let's review some of their benefits:

ENDLESS HOT WATER SUPPLY

No more cold showers! As long as you've selected the correct flow rate model for your home you no longer need to worry about running out of hot water in the shower - even if your teenagers are showering in the other bathroom while your dishwasher and washing machine are on.

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SAVE ON HEATING COSTS

The reduced energy consumption of tankless water heaters compared to tank-style water heaters will translate into savings and money in your wallet. The amount you save will vary from household to household and will depend on your water usage patterns and climate. The average homeowner will usually see savings of 15% - 25%, while households that have smaller hot water demands may see savings of up to 48%.

GET PAID TO SWITCH

Under the Energy Tax Incentives Act you can qualify for a $300 Federal rebate by switching your hot water tank to a tankless water heater unit. Act now before these incentives expire!

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REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION

A tankless water heater only consumes energy when you are using hot water. It instantly heats the hot water supply to the required temperature "on demand" and does not waste energy maintaining a large tank of hot water 24 hours a day.

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLIER

Switching to a tankless water heater will help the environment in 3 ways. Going tankless will reduce the amount of fossil fuels you consume to heat your household water. Secondly, as tankless heaters are typically smaller units than traditional hot water tanks, they require less metal and help reduce the global demand for mining and metal consumption. Thirdly, tankless heaters last 2 - 3 times longer than traditional hot water tanks and will further reduce the demand for metal inputs and lower landfill waste levels.

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SPACE SAVING

As an added bonus you will gain storage space in your house due to the simple fact that tankless water heaters are much smaller in size that traditional hot water heaters and can be installed more conveniently in a wide range of locations.

There is a lot to be gained by switching from tank to tankless water heaters, and demand is growing. Why not learn more about tankless heaters and see if they are right for your home. If you act soon, you can still get in on the rebate and get the government to pay you to switch!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=S.A._Smith

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Eco Friendly Plumbing - How to Go Green With Your Plumbing Maui Hawaii

Our daily activities in the home result in the consumption of large quantities of water. However, it is possible to significantly reduce home fresh water consumption to environmentally friendly levels and still save money by simply making simple modifications to your plumbing system.
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Gray Water System

By installing a gray water system, you will benefit from having in place a safer and easier means of collecting and filtering water used in dishwashers, faucets and washing machines. The water may then be reused for other purposes other than drinking such as watering your garden. A gray water system is also ideal for keeping your soil well irrigated through the diversion of water to your garden instead of the local sewage system. With this system in place, you will be able to significantly cut down on fresh water consumption in your home.

Water Filtration System

By installing a water filtration system, you may have enough water to fill more than 3,000 disposable plastic water bottles each year. This is ideal not only because you get to save money by not buying bottled water, but also due to the fact that you will not be contributing to the demand for crude oil used in the manufacture of disposable water bottles - thereby reducing your carbon footprint.

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Epoxy Pipe Lining

When pipes and drywall become irreparable due to too many pinhole leaks and systemic problems, we are normally tempted to simply replace the entire plumbing system by re-piping, which involves cutting our walls open and tearing out the pipes. In the process, we end up throwing out and wasting old pipes and drywall which thereafter have to be replaced; and the process of manufacturing these new materials is known for having a negative impact on the environment. The good news is that instead of wasting pipes and drywall, one may simply use epoxy pipe lining which helps save on time and money, while leaving less of a footprint. Once epoxy lined, you may find that you no longer need to re-pipe or cut open your walls. Moreover, epoxy lining pipes helps prevent corrosion and erosion damage, which reduces the need for repair or replacement.

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Other effective ways of having environmentally sound plumbing in your home is through the addition of low-flow toilets, shower heads and faucet aerators. These help reduce fresh water consumption by up to 50%, as well as a 50% reduction in water heating which helps you save on energy consumption. In addition, these eco-friendly efforts are very quick and very affordable for a homeowner to implement.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joan_One

Easy Green Plumbing Tips Maui Hawaii

If you, like most people, are trying to add a green element to your home there are a number of ways your plumber can help.

As is the case with a great many green home improvements, many of these plumbing tweaks will save you money and help keep your family healthier as well.

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Here are just a few green plumbing jobs worth thinking about.

Install an On Demand Heating Pump

These pumps send water to your shower or sink in a matter of seconds and can save you money in two different ways. You will no longer have to run the water unnecessarily waiting for it to heat up, thus cutting down your water consumption which saves money and reduces waste. In addition you will not be wasting energy as hot water unnecessarily sits unused in the pipes.

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Have Chlorine Filters Installed on Your Showerheads

Chlorine sensitivity is a big problem for many people. Chlorine is absorbed six times faster through the skin than it is by drinking it in water. Having chlorine filters installed will result in a healthier shower for everyone.

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Have a Whole House Purification System Installed

Want to go one better than a tap filter and a special shower head? Then talk to a plumber about having a whole house filtration system installed.

These clever things remove all the nasty chemicals and assorted debris in the water throughout your home. Tap water will become drinkable again and even your hot water heaters and plumbing fixtures will benefit if you live in an area with high sediment water.

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Install a Home Leak Monitor

Sometimes a leak can go unnoticed for months before it really causes a problem. But it is still wasting water every day. A home leak monitor will alert you as soon as it senses a problem so you can call a plumber right away before the leak causes serious and potentially expensive damage.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ursula_K_Rose