Hot Water

Hot Water

This page is all about hot water, how it gets hot, the different methods to heat it and the different fuels that can be used to heat it. There will be suggestions on how you can reduce the amount of wasted money and fuel used to keep water hot when you are not using it. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, water heating accounts for 20% or more of an average household's annual energy expenditures. The yearly operating costs for conventional gas or electric storage tank water heaters average $200 or $450, respectively. Storage tank-type water heaters raise and maintain the water temperature to the temperature setting on the tank (usually between 120°-140°F or 49°-60°C). Even if no hot water is drawn from the tank , the heater will operate periodically to maintain the water temperature. This is due to "standby losses": the heat conducted and radiated from the walls of the tankand in gas-fired water heatersthrough the flue pipe. These standby losses represent 10% to 20% of a household's annual water heating costs. One way to reduce this expenditure is to use a demand (also called "tankless" or "instantaneous") water heater.

Tankless Hot Water

Controlled Energy Corporation (CEC)
Great information here about tankless and point of use water heating. CEC's mission is to provide well designed and manufactured, environmentally sound solutions for water and space heating at competitive prices backed up by the very best customer service in the industry.
Takagi Industrial Co. USA, Inc.
The Takagi Tankless Water Heater is made using the best quality material for durability and long life, unlike storage tanks which are designed to eventually rust and be thrown away. The Takagi tankless system uses all copper and brass water ways, stainless steel burners, a rust resistant baked polyurethane finish, and even has pipe freezing protection.
Laars Heating Systems
The MiniTherm series residential boilers are Category I (non-positive vent pressure, non-condensing), natural draft appliances. The heat exchanger combines the heat transfer efficiency of integral copper finned tubes with the mass of two cast-iron wet walls surrounding the combustion chamber. The units are available in a range of sizes to suit almost every residential and light commercial heating load while providing operational efficiencies of up to 84.5% AFUE. The MiniTherm JVi has the added feature of a boiler-mounted induced draft fan to facilitate side-wall vented installations.
Gas and Electric Demand Water Heaters
Information and descriptions about on Demand (Tankless or Instantaneous) Water Heaters from the US Department of Energy. The standby energy losses (caused when the tank type water heater operates periodically to maintain the water temperature) represent 10% to 20% of a household's annual water heating costs. One way to reduce this expenditure is to use a demand (also called "tankless" or "instantaneous") water heater.
ToolBase Services from the NAHB
Throw away your water heater tank and shave ten to twenty percent off your water heating bill. That savings results from elimination of standby losses -- energy lost from warmed water sitting in a tank. And, since water heating accounts for about 14 percent of the average U.S. household energy budget, this can be a significant loss
Tankless Water.com
This website says: "How do I find the tankless water heater that fits my needs? This all depends on whether you have natural gas, propane or electricity. We recommend the following helpful guides to assist you with your water heater selection. You can also visit our Buying Guide located at the top of each page to help you in making an informed decision."
New Home Cost Comparisons from Seisco
This section provides estimated Tankless Water Heater Cost Comparisons for the Tankless Water Heater Installation and operation of the SEISCO tankless water heater in new residential homes.
Rinnai Continuum Hot Water Heating System
This website says: "The Rinnai Continuum is a tankless water heater that heats water quickly and delivers an endless supply of hot water for as long as you need it. Rinnai Continuum is up to 50 percent more energy efficient than a traditional natural gas water heater and up to 70 percent more efficient than an electric water heater."

Water Tank Hot Water

FAQ's & Answers from Rheem Manufacturing
Starting with "How to Choose and Purchase a Water Heater", to "Why is my water heater making noises from within the unit?". Answers to more questions than you thought possible about a water heater.
Small Point of Use Water Heaters
Point-of-use hot water heaters can supply up to 2 sinks at a time and provide endless hot water and energy savings. These water heaters are easy to install and you will never have to worry about heat loss from long pipe runs. A point-of-use water heater is the perfect solution for home and office sinks... hot water without the wait.
American Water Heater Company
Guides to help you purchase the properly sized electric or gas tank type water heater.
Puget Sound Energy on Water Heaters
The second largest energy user is heating your water. But that also means that by making changes to your water-heating and water consumption habits, you can save considerable money every month. Here are some good basic tips.
How Much to Purchase & Operate a New Hot Water Appliance
From Puget Sound Energy: This calculator estimates how much it will cost to purchase and operate a new water heater. It will also tell you how much you might save on energy bills compared to your old water heater. Please enter your ZIP Code and choose an answer for each of the water heater questions listed. Then click "Calculate" to see your results.

Other Hot Water Tools

Laing AutoCirc
Stop wasting water by running it down the drain while you wait for it to get hot. The AutoCirc pump is installed under the sink or faucet farthest from the water heater -- where hot water usually takes the longest amount of time to arrive. A built-in temperature sensor automatically turns the pump on when the water temperature in the hot water supply line cools down to 85º F. This cool water in the hot water supply line is then pumped into the cold water line and back into the water heater. This means the coldest temperature at the time of turning on the hot tap will be 85 degrees.
Heat Trap fittings by Rheem
Heat Trap Fittings provide additional energy cost savings in the operation of any residential gas or electric water heater. In the hot water outlet fitting, a Teflon ball (heavier than water) seats to trap standby heat, preventing convective heat loss through the fitting. Similarly, a polypropylene ball (lighter than water) in the cold water inlet fittings reduces heat loss. When water is drawn, both balls are moved from their standby positions for proper water flow to and from the tank.
Temperature & Pressure Relief Valves
Temperature and pressure relief valves, also cxalled T&P valves, are emergency safety limit devices that will prevent or relieve overheated water and pressure. Without a relief valve doring an unsafe condition, the pressure inside the tank would rise to the proijnt the tank may rupture or explode. The T&P valve is designed to open when the pressure inside the tank exceeds a certain pressure, allowing pressure to vent safely. The T&P valve will open if the water temperature reaches a certain temperature allowing cold water into the tak until the unsafe contions is over. Different T&P valves are rated to work at different pressures and temperatures. Water tanks are made and pressure tested to work within certain temperature and pressure ranges.