Electric Heating Systems

Solar water heaters are the most scientific as well as developed way to heat water. The electric water heaters are outdated and the solar water heaters will soon be taking their places, no doubt. And why not? A solar water heater helps us not only in reducing our electricity bill, but at the same time, it helps us in giving our part to save our environment and surrounding.

Types of solar water heater

Solar water heaters are of generally two main types, classified on the basis of their making status. They are

1. Ready solar water heaters : these are those kinds of solar water heater that are already manufactured and just need to be installed.
2. Build solar water heater :these are those kinds of solar water heaters that are made at home or anywhere by any individual following a particular guide or manual.

Build solar water heater

By making your solar water heater, you are able to reduce the electricity bills. And at the same time, the investment also decreases compared to the readymade solar water heaters. It is very easy to build solar water heater. All it needs and requires are few things from the hardware store, few project schematics and that’s all. Only by assembling these things, you can make your own solar heater. The time required depends on how big solar water heater are you making. Bigger the heater, more it is going to take time.

Build solar water heater for home

There are few options provided while making a solar water heater. Either it is made for use at home or at some other place.

If it is made for home, then all you need to do is to set up a solar panel at your house. This is to be set where it can receive maximum sunlight. And then this solar panel is connected to the existing heating system. Also a high capacity battery can be installed for the back up purposes. It can help you when the sun is not out. If you don’t have a heating system, then you should go for a ‘real time solar water heater’. It heats the water without storing it.

About the author:
For more comprehensive ideas, check out simpleheaters guide on building solar water heaters

Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

With the rising energy costs there has been an increase in interest for energy saving appliances. Efficent "tankless" water heaters have become very popular for their capability to heat hot water on demand, with no storage tank required. Instead of holding water in a traditional water tank, they circulate the cold water through a series of electrically heated coils that warm the water as it moves pass this heat source. This newer process of warming water requires more expensive equipment than the conventional water heater, but this money is regained in the long term with energy efficiency savings. The energy savings is mainly gained from no longer needing to heat an entire tank of water.

Since the tankless water heaters do not store hot water but rather constantly heat water as it is demanded, they do not run out of hot water. There is one exception, to this "endless" supply of heated water. The flow rate is limited. In other words if you simultaneously use more water than the flow of the water heater (i.e. 3 people showering at one time) you will receive unheated water.

Since conventional water heater stores the water together in a large tank it is able to provide water at a set temperature. Tankless water heaters differ in this aspect since they are dependent upon the incoming water temperature and the flow rate. The incoming water temperature can vary greatly from summer to winter. The capacity of a tankless water heater is generally measured by how many temperature degrees it can increase water temperature by gallons per minute (gpm). Most tankless water heaters are powered by gas to better handle the heat output and response time required. These gas powered water heaters require proper venting, normally more venting than the older, conventional water heaters required. If you are replacing a conventional electric water heater tank, you may want to add a power vent in the side of the wall. This would be the less costly alternative if there is no existing roof vent. Some of the smaller and more portable single-fixture units are powered electrically.

Author Bio
Jack Russell is a retired construction worker who spends his free time as a freelance writer for sites like www.foremansfinder.com - an industrial resource site.

Generally, for the most part today, having running water in the home is a convenience that many take for granted. In addition, having hot water is also something that is taken for granted unless something happens mechanically and we need to call a plumber.

If we were to think of all the everyday occurrences when hot water came out of the faucet we might appreciate this convenience a bit more. Examples of when this occurs are our daily shower, washing our hands, doing the dishes, cleaning clothes, etc.

In addition, there are many methods by which water can be heated. Our water can be heated through an electric water heater, solar power and by using a gas water heater.

Utilizing a gas water heater has been a choice of many households for a number of reasons. Therefore, if considering this method of water heating it is important to understand how a gas water heater works and its benefits.

How A Gas Water Heater Works

A gas water heater is a combination of gas and electrical appliance that heats up water within a home or business so that the individuals within that facility can have access to hot water. Basically, there are two types of water heaters. One is a gas water heater while the other one is an electric water heater.

The basic difference between the two is that one of the units, the electric water heater, utilizes heating elements within the tank to heat up the water that is within the tank. With the gas water heater the water within the tank is heated through a gas burner located at the bottom of the unit.

Basically the water enters the units through a separate tube. The heating of the water is regulated by a separate device mounted on the water heater. That separate device is called a thermostat. When the thermostat is set to a certain temperature and the water within the tank falls below that temperature, the thermostat sends a signal to the heating unit calling for activation. This activation then heats up the water to that temperature and the hot water is then ready to be used. The flow of the hot water is accomplished through the hot water pipes within the facility.

Benefits

It can be argued that the gas hot water heater is better than the electric water heater and vice versa. Generally, this argument is based on the costs associated with heating water and passing those costs on to the consumer. Frequently, the costs are associated with the energy system that is utilized.

For example with the gas hot water heater the energy source is a combination of gas and electricity. Whereas, the electric water heater utilizes electricity as its energy source. Therefore, depending upon which geographical location the household or business is located would determine the cost factors associated with utilization of electricity or gas.

Before you make your hot water heater purchase you should determine if you have made the best choice. Evidently you have made the choice of an electric hot water heater. To make sure that you have gotten the best bargain for you, you should takes some steps to ensure your best interests. There are four steps that we can recommend.

Step One - Look At Your Fuel Choice

If you have an availability of an electric water heater and a gas water heater, do research about the costs of the two different types of fuels, over time. Not all areas have both choices available and the rise in electricity and gas costs have altered which water heater is the best value anymore. So rather than just say an electric water heater is the better deal or that a gas water heater is the better deal, is no longer a valid designation. Check that any electric water heater review you use covers the new prices for gas and electricity.

Step Two - Check An Electric Water Heater Review

There are several consumer magazines and appliances retailers that have electric water heater reviews available for your use. Make extensive you of them to check the availability of features that you need and want.

Step Three - Look At The FHR

There is a rating on all water heaters called the first hour rating is the amount of water that will be heated and delivered in an hour. This is an important rating and should be covered in any electric water heater review, if it is not covered, you may want to look for another review for more complete information.

Step Four - Check The Energy Efficiency Rating

Each water heater listed in the electric water heater review should have an energy efficiency rating number. It is a rating of how efficiently the water heater uses fuel and the costs over time. The higher the number the better. There is also another step within this one. Check with your local electric company to determine what rebates, if any, are available for the replacement by an energy efficient electric water heater. It is not usually a large amount, but it helps with the costs.

As a final thought, there may be a rebate from your home owners insurance or home warranty company for the replacement. Sometimes the electric water heater review may note this information, if not call both companies and verify rebates or discounts for the new appliance.

For home improvement projects, many home owners opt to install the improvements themselves instead of paying somebody else to do it for them. Some do it because they want to save money. Others do it simply because they enjoy working with their hands. Regardless, if you're looking to build a solar water heater, there are bountiful options available for you to choose from. Some save more money than others, and your options are really opened up because you aren't stuck with whatever a particular company has in stock.

Basic Parts and Installation

The most basic parts required to build a solar water heater are of course the water heating tank, solar panels, and piping to connect everything together. Building a solar water heater isn't a particularly difficult endeavor, but it's more time consuming than anything. In fact, the most difficult aspect of building a solar water heater is proper positioning of the solar panels for the most efficient conversion of solar heat into usable heat. Positioning them incorrectly can result in less than optimal results or very poor results overall.

Also, be prepared to do a bit of sawing and drilling to connect the solar panels outside your home to the solar water heater system inside. As long as you have basic home improvement skills, you'll be just fine undertaking this type of project by yourself. Connect the panels and water heating tank using pipes (filling them with an antifreeze liquid if you live in an area which freezes during the winter). Also, if your solar water heater has a backup power supply, connect that to the power grid to ensure continuous operation in the case of insufficient solar rays on any particular day. Those steps are integral to building a solar water heater, although your particular kit may have slight variations and additional steps.

You can save hundreds of dollars up front by choosing to build a solar water heater yourself instead of paying a construction company to do it for you. You might also ask, “Why go through all this work when I can much more easily install a conventional water heater in less time?” A solar water heater is more environmentally friendly because it uses much less (if any) electricity, so you can easily shave ten percent or more off your energy bill. Building a solar water heater is also the smart choice for the environmentalist due to its efficiency and empowerment from renewable energy.

Modifying the water heater temperature can actually be used in order to save energy. Water heaters are known to be the most energy-consuming appliances in your home, and you can be spending up to $400 in electric fees annually just through the use of water heaters alone!

There are several ways for you to save up on energy, and consequently lessen the amount on your utility bills. Among these is purchasing a water heater timer or insulating materials. If you are not ready to dip into your pockets, there is also an easy way to minimize your water heater energy consumption. Just change the water heater temperature.

How does this work?

By simply lowering the thermostat setting on your water heater, you can save critical amounts of energy. For every 10 degrees Fahrenheit reduction in water temperature, you can save up to 5% of energy.

Did you know?

Some manufacturers calibrate water heater thermostats at 140 degrees Fahrenheit even when the average household only requires a water heater temperature setting of 120 degrees Fahrenheit. If you lower your temperature setting by 20 degrees Fahrenheit, you can be saving up to 10% of energy. Using 140 degrees Fahrenheit as your temperature setting can also pose some serious risks and hazards, such as scalding.

Lowering your water temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit can also delay the process of corrosion and mineral buildup in your water heater and pipes. This contributes in making your water heater last longer and function at its optimal efficiency.

How do I operate the thermostat?

You can refer to the instructions found in your water heater manuals as to how the thermostat is operated. Usually, the thermostat dial for a gas storage water heater is located near the bottom of the tank of the gas valve. For electric water heaters though, thermostats can be found behind screw-on panels or plates. Remember that before opening the panels, make sure to shut off the electricity to the water heater. This is to prevent you from getting electrocuted. An electric water heater may also have two thermostats - one for the upper and lower heating elements.

After locating the thermostat and adjusting it to a lower water temperature, take note of the beginning temperature and the adjusted temperature displayed on the thermostat dial. This will serve as your future reference. Afterwards, proceed to checking the water temperature at the tap farthest from the water heater if the temperature has indeed dropped according to your specifications. Most thermostat dials are inaccurate so you might need to perform several adjustments before you finally get the right temperature.

Miscellaneous Tips on Using your Water Heater

If you plan to be away from home for several days, turn the thermostat down to its lowest setting or completely turn off your water heater. You can switch it off by turning off the circuit breaker to it.

For dishwashers without a booster heater, use water temperature with the range of 130-140 degrees Fahrenheit for maximum cleaning.

As a whole, if you want to cut back on electricity costs, but you're not ready to invest in water heater timers and insulating materials, you can do so by simply lowering down the water heater temperature setting.

Find the best offers on water heater timer. Compare water heater prices online.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/technology-articles/save-energy-and-money-through-modifying-water-heater-temperature-393946.html

Shopping for a commercial hot water heater? The process may not be the easiest, especially if you have no experience and have no idea of what you should be looking for. The good news is that there are definitely some great options when it comes to the commercial hot water heater selection out there today, so you will not have to worry about a lacking in terms of choices out there.

Get Advice

The first thing that you should do is get some professional advice on which commercial hot water heater you should be looking for. This will be determined on a few factors in particular, such as what size the business is and what hot water heater price you are able to afford.

Check Out the Selection

You are going to need to become aware of the commercial hot water heater selection you have available, and understand that new and updated models are being released all the time. Tankless water heaters are particularly popular these days, especially for businesses because they offer such ease of use and convenience.

They are usually a bit more expensive than the standard hot water heater models but well worth it as considered by most consumers.

These hot water heaters are also known as instantaneous water heaters and are great for businesses because they provide hot water without the need of a storage tank. They use either gas or electricity to operate, and cold water travels through a pipe into the unit, and then either a gas burner or an electric element heats the water.

This means that you will get water for all the uses of your business instantly, rather than having to wait for it as you usually do at home.

Keep in mind that there is also the option to rent or buy, but typically if you are getting a commercial hot water heater you will want to purchase it because you know that you are going to have it for years to come and so you will be saving money by buying it outright rather than renting it to use.

As long as you keep all these pointers in mind and use this information to your advantage, you will be able to find the perfect water heater for your business and allow it to prosper as much as possible. Companies such as Tim Hortons for instance rely much of their business on the use of hot water.