What Are the Most Energy Efficient Water Heaters?
In the United States, most households spend more money heating water than they spend on refrigeration, cooking, and drying clothes combined. Water heaters account for about 18% to 20% of household energy use; however, switching to an energy-efficient water heater can lower this percentage and help you cut costs.
If you’re looking to install an energy-efficient water heater right now, chances are you’ll be looking to install a heat pump, tankless, or solar water heater at home. These appliances minimize heat loss and fuel waste, and some take advantage of renewable energy sources to offset the need to use gas or on-grid electric power, which can help you use less energy and lower your utility bills at home. Learn the best temperature settings for your water heaters to save on energy.
Heat Pump Water Heaters
Heat pump water heaters, which are often designed as hybrid water heaters, use a compressor to capture existing heat from the air and ground and transfer it to an insulated water storage tank, where it heats the water inside. These appliances can be three to four times more efficient than standard water heaters, which burn fuel or draw power from the grid to activate an electric resistance element that transfers heat into the water in the tank.
Heat pump water heaters are reliable, efficient, and high-performance appliances that tend to be technologically advanced and user-friendly, with control panels that enable you to customize your temperature and operational settings to minimize energy waste. Some systems integrate with smart home systems to adjust your settings automatically according to your usage patterns. By using ambient heat, they reduce greenhouse gas emissions, making them more eco-friendly than propane and gas water heaters, which directly release harmful nitrogen oxides and greenhouse gases into the air.
Using a heat pump water heater will also reduce your utility bills. Switching from a standard tank hot water heater to an Energy Star-certified heat pump water heater can help a family of four save up to $550 annually on its electric bills and pay back the difference in the water heater’s upfront cost in about three years in many areas. State and local tax credits, store and utility rebates, and other incentives can help offset the cost of installation.
Tankless Water Heaters
For people who are short on space, electric- or gas-powered tankless or on-demand water heaters can be a viable and energy-efficient alternative to other kinds of water heaters. These small appliances superheat water as it passes through coils or a heat exchanger on the way to your tap. They save energy by heating water as needed instead of storing it in a tank. This means that they only burn fuel when they are in use, instead of burning fuel constantly to keep water hot.
Some tankless heaters are able to recycle excess heat, which also increases their efficiency. Because they use about 14% to 34% less energy than a standard water heater, they can also lower utility costs at home. According to Energy Star, a household of four that switches from a conventional gas-powered water heater to an Energy Star-certified gas tankless water heater can save about $95 per year on energy bills.
Solar Water Heaters
For homeowners with plenty of roof space that receive several days worth of continuous direct sunlight throughout the year, solar water heaters can be a viable, energy-efficient option. These systems use energy from the sun to heat water, which means that they are free to use; however, they can be expensive and cumbersome to install. Many of these systems will not work under cloudy skies or in freezing temperatures, and they may not be suitable for locations that have long winter nights. This means that solar water heaters may not be practical for everyone, but it’s possible to configure hybrid systems that use fossil fuels or electricity when solar energy is not available.
Solar water heaters convert about 80% of the sun’s radiation into heat, making them one of the most energy-efficient water heating systems around. Over time, households that use solar water heaters can cut their water heating bills by 50% to 80%, and some solar water heating systems may qualify for state or federal tax credits.
How to Choose the Right Energy-Efficient Water Heater for Your Home
When you’re comparing new water models for your home, take a look at their uniform energy factor (UEF). This rating measures the heater’s energy efficiency, and higher numbers indicate higher efficiencies, which correlate to lower energy costs. Heat pump water heaters may have UEF ratings of 2.75 to 3.50 or higher, while gas-powered tankless water heaters have a UEF rating of 0.85 to 0.96. Solar water heaters use a solar uniform energy factor (SUEF) specification to compare the performance of solar water heaters to other types of water heaters.
No water heater is one-size-fits-all. To get the most energy-efficient water heater you can for your needs and budget, seek the advice of skilled professionals. Licensed plumbers and contractors can help you choose and install the right energy-efficient water heater for your home, so you can lower your energy costs, contribute to environmental health, and enjoy the luxury of hot water every day.
Thinking about replacing your old water heater. Schedule and inspection if your water heater is 10 to 15 years old. Water has a brown or reddish hue which indicates that it is clogged with sediment or some other foreign material. Older water heaters might pose a safety issue and explode if not inspected and treated.