Electric Heating Systems

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.

Water heaters have come some real distance in options in the last ten years. They now have a small electric water heater that fits under a counter and has seven to ten gallon capacity. While this would be of little use to a homeowner to produce the hot water needed for a full family house, but they have many uses. This small electric water heater is perfect for a cottage, guest house, RV, efficiency apartment. There are a plethora of small electric water heater manufacturers and models available to choose from. The choices are such that the items that you would normally consider for a purchase of other full size appliances come into play.

One of the easiest ways to first determine which small electric water heater to purchase is to find and read carefully a electric water heater review. Once you have done this, seriously consider exactly what you want this small electric water heater to do. Such as, if it is to supplement an existing large water heater, what capacity do you need? If it is rarely used, would a tankless water heating system be better? They have a small electric water heater that produces hot water for perhaps an office break-room.

What you are calling on the small electric water heater to do, can give you additional options. If this is for occasional use in a cottage, the on demand water heater may be your best option. Or if its for an RV would a tankless system provide what you need and not have problems being out of use for months at a time.

Caveats in Purchasing a Small Electric Water Heater

The caveat list is not long, but it should be checked carefully to avoid wasting your money with a small electric water heater product that will not supply what you need.

Backflow issues if this is to be installed inline may require additional backflow valves.

If it produces seven to ten gallons of hot water we are not discussing a shower type of water heater.

While they plug into a normal outlet plug, make sure it will not overload the breaker it is on.

A tankless on-demand water heater does not have the same amount of waterflow as a regular water heater.

Most of these small electric water heater units are considered to be a booster, to provide additional hot water to an existing system.

The units may be small but the prices are not substantially lower on the small electric water heater than the regular full-size water heater.

If you are replacing the old water heater with a new unit that is similar to the old one, you will not find it very difficult to replace it. Moreover, if you follow the steps below, it will certainly make your task much easier.

- Shut off the water supply

- If you have a gas heater, shut off the gas supply, or if you have an electric heater, turn off the power supply.

- The next step is to drain the water from the tank. If you do not have a floor drain underneath the valve, you can connect a hose to the drain valve, near the base of the tank. Run it to a nearby drain or outdoors, and then open the valve.

- Unscrew the inlet and outlet fittings from the top of the tank, using two wrenches.

- If you have a gas water heater, turn off the gas inlet valve. Disconnect the union or flare fitting between the gas supply pipe and the inlet valve. You can use two wrenches to disconnect the same. You will also find a flue hat at the top of the tank. It expels gases into the flue. Remove this flue hat as well.

- Remove the old water heater.

- Set the new water heater carefully in place so that the burner and controls are accessible. Make sure that there is at least six inches of clearance around its perimeter, and it is away from any flammable materials.

- It is better if you fill the base with pieces of asphalt shingles or plastic wedges.

- Wrap the threads of the heat trap fittings with pipe-wrap tape.

- Connect blue thread of the fittings into the cold water inlet of the water heater, and red into the hot water outlet.

- Be careful while connecting the same. Make sure that the arrows are marked on the fittings point in the water flow direction.

- On the inlet and outlet pipes of water heater install the new flexible connectors.

- Make sure that all connections are complete.

- Open the shutoff wall and fill the tank.

- Open a few hot-water faucets so that the air in the pipes should bleed off.

- Now assemble the gas pipes per the manufacturer's instruction.

- Brush soapy water on all the connections, and carefully watch it should not produce any bubbles. If it does, recheck the connection once again.

Some Other Handy Tips

- Check with your local building department and confirm whether your home is in an earthquake zone. Install straps around the new water heater.

- If the height of the new tank is different from the old one, you will have to use flexible pipe connectors for the water inlet and outlet. This will make them able to bend whenever it is needed to make the hookup.

In case the pipes are not threaded, replace them with threaded nipples. Use an adjustable wrench to adjust the connectors to the nipples.

Hence, if you follow the above steps and the tips, you will find it very simple to replace a water heater.

Source: Free Articles

Owen Walcher is a freelance writer, helping you with your plumbing problems at http://plumbers.besthomeresource.com/ and supporting your need to find a plumber in Alabama here: http://plumbers.besthomeresource.com/AlabamaPlumbing/

If you are replacing the old water heater with a new unit that is similar to the old one, you will not find it very difficult to replace it. Moreover, if you follow the steps below, it will certainly make your task much easier.

- Shut off the water supply

- If you have a gas heater, shut off the gas supply, or if you have an electric heater, turn off the power supply.

- The next step is to drain the water from the tank. If you do not have a floor drain underneath the valve, you can connect a hose to the drain valve, near the base of the tank. Run it to a nearby drain or outdoors, and then open the valve.

- Unscrew the inlet and outlet fittings from the top of the tank, using two wrenches.

- If you have a gas water heater, turn off the gas inlet valve. Disconnect the union or flare fitting between the gas supply pipe and the inlet valve. You can use two wrenches to disconnect the same. You will also find a flue hat at the top of the tank. It expels gases into the flue. Remove this flue hat as well.

- Remove the old water heater.

- Set the new water heater carefully in place so that the burner and controls are accessible. Make sure that there is at least six inches of clearance around its perimeter, and it is away from any flammable materials.

- It is better if you fill the base with pieces of asphalt shingles or plastic wedges.

- Wrap the threads of the heat trap fittings with pipe-wrap tape.

- Connect blue thread of the fittings into the cold water inlet of the water heater, and red into the hot water outlet.

- Be careful while connecting the same. Make sure that the arrows are marked on the fittings point in the water flow direction.

- On the inlet and outlet pipes of water heater install the new flexible connectors.

- Make sure that all connections are complete.

- Open the shutoff wall and fill the tank.

- Open a few hot-water faucets so that the air in the pipes should bleed off.

- Now assemble the gas pipes per the manufacturer's instruction.

- Brush soapy water on all the connections, and carefully watch it should not produce any bubbles. If it does, recheck the connection once again.

Some Other Handy Tips

- Check with your local building department and confirm whether your home is in an earthquake zone. Install straps around the new water heater.

- If the height of the new tank is different from the old one, you will have to use flexible pipe connectors for the water inlet and outlet. This will make them able to bend whenever it is needed to make the hookup.

In case the pipes are not threaded, replace them with threaded nipples. Use an adjustable wrench to adjust the connectors to the nipples.

Hence, if you follow the above steps and the tips, you will find it very simple to replace a water heater.

Source: Free Articles

Owen Walcher is a freelance writer, helping you with your plumbing problems at http://plumbers.besthomeresource.com/ and supporting your need to find a plumber in Alabama here: http://plumbers.besthomeresource.com/AlabamaPlumbing/

The purchase of an electric hot water heater is not a small purchase for any homeowner, and trying to find the best electric water heater may make you feel harried and more than a little mentally frazzled. It would be wonderful if there was one best electric water heater for everyone. Then this article would be done and you would be on your way to the appliance store. It used to be that way because the only choices were number of gallons and electric or gas/propane. Since I cannot provide you with the single answer and be done, I’m going to provide you some hints and ideas for your expensive purchase.

Hints and Tips in the Electric Hot Water Heater Hunt

Its not 100 percent true but the longer the warranty on the electric hot water heater means that you are going to get a heavy gauge metal and other higher grade products. So the warranty length should be your first consideration.

How many gallons you need should be your second consideration. If your current water heater that you are going to replace with the electric hot water heater is 40 gallons and you always run out of water, consider the 50 gallons. With a 12 year warranty you are going to be with this appliance for a while, make it work for you.

You next item is the first hour rating, which gives you the information of how much hot water the electric hot water heater is going to deliver for your use if the first hour. This rating is not something most people know to check this item on an electric hot water heater or any other water heater.

If your are going with an electric hot water heater, you might also want to consider electric tankless hot water heater to add additional low cost heating to your system.

Last you need to verify that your new electric hot water heater has a high energy rating. Electric hot water heaters have some of the highest ratings. There is another reason to get this information, other than energy savings for you. Often, utility companies provide rebates for purchases of replacement appliances with energy ratings above a certain amount. Every energy company in every area can, and probably do, have different numbers which they have chosen. So when you have the information on the energy ratings of the models you would prefer, call the utility company and see which one will provide you the rebate.

The purchase of an electric hot water heater is not a small purchase for any homeowner, and trying to find the best electric water heater may make you feel harried and more than a little mentally frazzled. It would be wonderful if there was one best electric water heater for everyone. Then this article would be done and you would be on your way to the appliance store. It used to be that way because the only choices were number of gallons and electric or gas/propane. Since I cannot provide you with the single answer and be done, I’m going to provide you some hints and ideas for your expensive purchase.

Hints and Tips in the Electric Hot Water Heater Hunt

Its not 100 percent true but the longer the warranty on the electric hot water heater means that you are going to get a heavy gauge metal and other higher grade products. So the warranty length should be your first consideration.

How many gallons you need should be your second consideration. If your current water heater that you are going to replace with the electric hot water heater is 40 gallons and you always run out of water, consider the 50 gallons. With a 12 year warranty you are going to be with this appliance for a while, make it work for you.

You next item is the first hour rating, which gives you the information of how much hot water the electric hot water heater is going to deliver for your use if the first hour. This rating is not something most people know to check this item on an electric hot water heater or any other water heater.

If your are going with an electric hot water heater, you might also want to consider electric tankless hot water heater to add additional low cost heating to your system.

Last you need to verify that your new electric hot water heater has a high energy rating. Electric hot water heaters have some of the highest ratings. There is another reason to get this information, other than energy savings for you. Often, utility companies provide rebates for purchases of replacement appliances with energy ratings above a certain amount. Every energy company in every area can, and probably do, have different numbers which they have chosen. So when you have the information on the energy ratings of the models you would prefer, call the utility company and see which one will provide you the rebate.

It used to be that when you had to replace a water heater, pretty much your only choice was whether it was an electric hot water heater or a gas/propane hot water heater. There are many more choices now and some interesting variations. We will discuss only the electric hot water heater and the electric tankless water heater. The most interesting variation is the electric tankless water heater, which is not really new, but is now much more of a real choice. When then electric tankless water heater systems first became available they had problems with waterflow and getting water to the necessary temperature. These problems have been solved, but this is still one warning, a tankless water heating system still does not have the full waterflow of a regular water heater system.

Since you have chosen to go with an electric water heating system, perhaps you thought you were finished with your decisions. Unfortunately or fortunately, depending how you look at it, there are some more choices to make

Factors in Electric Hot Water Heaters

The first decision is whether to have an electric tankless water heater or an electric hot water heater. If you choose the electric hot water heater you have a single purchase and installation to deal with. The electric tankless water heater requires an installation at each water outlet. While this may be a definite deal breaker for you, the savings in water heating bills over time can often overcome and far outstrip the savings of the installation of a single electric hot water heater. Safety is also a consideration was a hot water heater can be a fire source.

In fact, the choice to go with a tankless water heating system is one you can make over time. You can add an electric tankless water heater to begin the savings today. Add one to the guest bathroom, a pool, a dishwasher or other water outlets. This can begin to reduce your heating costs.

The second choice is which electric hot water heater to choose, if you decide to stay with a tank system. There are numerous new choices, such as: higher gallon capacity, stirrers, drainage valves, insulation Rvalue and an insulation jacket. People often complain that they run out of hot water, which could mean your system is no longer heating efficiently or that you really do lack gallon capacity necessary for your home. This brings into play the gallon capacity and the stirrers. The new systems have stirrers to force the water to completely circulate and stop silt buil-up on the bottom of the tank. Since the heating elements are on the bottom of the electric hot water heater tank you get reduced heat in the water and damage to the heating element due to the build-up. The electric tankless water heater does not have this issue, because there is no tank.

Last in R value and an insulation jacket. The Rvalue of a electric hot water heater is the insulation value around the core water tank and the outside of the water heater. How much of the heat from the water you heated stays in the water and how much escapes. Rvalues go from six to twenty-four, the higher number means more heat is held into the tank.

It used to be that when you had to replace a water heater, pretty much your only choice was whether it was an electric hot water heater or a gas/propane hot water heater. There are many more choices now and some interesting variations. We will discuss only the electric hot water heater and the electric tankless water heater. The most interesting variation is the electric tankless water heater, which is not really new, but is now much more of a real choice. When then electric tankless water heater systems first became available they had problems with waterflow and getting water to the necessary temperature. These problems have been solved, but this is still one warning, a tankless water heating system still does not have the full waterflow of a regular water heater system.

Since you have chosen to go with an electric water heating system, perhaps you thought you were finished with your decisions. Unfortunately or fortunately, depending how you look at it, there are some more choices to make

Factors in Electric Hot Water Heaters

The first decision is whether to have an electric tankless water heater or an electric hot water heater. If you choose the electric hot water heater you have a single purchase and installation to deal with. The electric tankless water heater requires an installation at each water outlet. While this may be a definite deal breaker for you, the savings in water heating bills over time can often overcome and far outstrip the savings of the installation of a single electric hot water heater. Safety is also a consideration was a hot water heater can be a fire source.

In fact, the choice to go with a tankless water heating system is one you can make over time. You can add an electric tankless water heater to begin the savings today. Add one to the guest bathroom, a pool, a dishwasher or other water outlets. This can begin to reduce your heating costs.

The second choice is which electric hot water heater to choose, if you decide to stay with a tank system. There are numerous new choices, such as: higher gallon capacity, stirrers, drainage valves, insulation Rvalue and an insulation jacket. People often complain that they run out of hot water, which could mean your system is no longer heating efficiently or that you really do lack gallon capacity necessary for your home. This brings into play the gallon capacity and the stirrers. The new systems have stirrers to force the water to completely circulate and stop silt buil-up on the bottom of the tank. Since the heating elements are on the bottom of the electric hot water heater tank you get reduced heat in the water and damage to the heating element due to the build-up. The electric tankless water heater does not have this issue, because there is no tank.

Last in R value and an insulation jacket. The Rvalue of a electric hot water heater is the insulation value around the core water tank and the outside of the water heater. How much of the heat from the water you heated stays in the water and how much escapes. Rvalues go from six to twenty-four, the higher number means more heat is held into the tank.

Do you feel frustrated every time, when you take a shower and the hot water runs out? And your energy bills are huge? Then it is possible that you need to look for new water heaters. An instant water heater can solve both problems for you.

Advantages of instant water heaters

An instant tankless heater has several advantages when compared to a conventional water heater:

It saves you energy

It heats water as you use it, as much as you use it and never runs out

It takes very little space

Common water heater usually has a tank that holds 40 to 80 gallons of water, keeping it hot at all times, day and night. As you use the hot water for showers, doing dishes and so on, it is replaced with cold water and heated. When you are not using hot water and even when you are not home all together, hot water just sits in the tank and as it waits to be used it loses the temperature. So the heater reheats water in your tank every now and then. This means loss of energy for you.

Instant water heaters don't have a tank. For this reason they are also called tankless water heaters. As soon as you turn on hot water the unit turns on and heats the water, typically at 125 degrees Fahrenheit. So this type of heater doesn't use energy until the faucet is turned on. It produces hot water instantly and if that temperature is too hot for you simply regulate it by turning on the cold water. When you are finished and turn hot water off, the instant water heater shuts down straight away, using no energy. This can cut your energy bill almost by 50% every month.

Energy is not the only thing you save, a tankless heater will also save you water. You know how you always have to let the cold water run first, before the hot comes out? With an instant tankless water heater the water is hot from the start, so there is no need to run the water to before it turns hot.

When room is a consideration, a tankless heater also offers a solution. Comparable to a traditional 40-60 gallon water tank, an instant unit is very small. It can be easily installed in a small home or apartment.

Industrial instant water heaters

While tankless heaters are most used in residential homes, great energy savings lead to their commercial use as well. And more water you use more you save, for example a house using 120 gallons of water a day with a 40-gallon hot water tank typically spends $112.25 per month on heating water. For the same usage, an instant tankless water heater will cost you only about $26.95 per month.

Cost of instant tankless water heater

Initial cost is the main disadvantage of a tankless heater. It costs much more than the conventional one. But as you can see, the energy savings will compensate for this very soon, probably in the first 6-8 month of using your new heater. And if the cost is a concern, look for discounted instant water heaters online. With internet retailers you can always get your tankless heater cheaper.

Buying a tankless water heater

You can get instant heaters from same stores that sell other types of water heaters. As their popularity has grown recently, you will not have any problems finding a decent instant water heater. Another option is too look online. Sometimes you can save quite a lot by buying a water heater from internet retailers.

For more information and price comparison of instant water heaters check Heaters Guide . We provide buying tips for all types of water heaters.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/instant-water-heater-what-are-the-benefits-155663.html

If you are replacing the old water heater with a new unit that is similar to the old one, you will not find it very difficult to replace it. Moreover, if you follow the steps below, it will certainly make your task much easier.

- Shut off the water supply

- If you have a gas heater, shut off the gas supply, or if you have an electric heater, turn off the power supply.

- The next step is to drain the water from the tank. If you do not have a floor drain underneath the valve, you can connect a hose to the drain valve, near the base of the tank. Run it to a nearby drain or outdoors, and then open the valve.

- Unscrew the inlet and outlet fittings from the top of the tank, using two wrenches.

- If you have a gas water heater, turn off the gas inlet valve. Disconnect the union or flare fitting between the gas supply pipe and the inlet valve. You can use two wrenches to disconnect the same. You will also find a flue hat at the top of the tank. It expels gases into the flue. Remove this flue hat as well.

- Remove the old water heater.

- Set the new water heater carefully in place so that the burner and controls are accessible. Make sure that there is at least six inches of clearance around its perimeter, and it is away from any flammable materials.

- It is better if you fill the base with pieces of asphalt shingles or plastic wedges.

- Wrap the threads of the heat trap fittings with pipe-wrap tape.

- Connect blue thread of the fittings into the cold water inlet of the water heater, and red into the hot water outlet.

- Be careful while connecting the same. Make sure that the arrows are marked on the fittings point in the water flow direction.

- On the inlet and outlet pipes of water heater install the new flexible connectors.

- Make sure that all connections are complete.

- Open the shutoff wall and fill the tank.

- Open a few hot-water faucets so that the air in the pipes should bleed off.

- Now assemble the gas pipes per the manufacturer's instruction.

- Brush soapy water on all the connections, and carefully watch it should not produce any bubbles. If it does, recheck the connection once again.

Some Other Handy Tips

- Check with your local building department and confirm whether your home is in an earthquake zone. Install straps around the new water heater.

- If the height of the new tank is different from the old one, you will have to use flexible pipe connectors for the water inlet and outlet. This will make them able to bend whenever it is needed to make the hookup.

In case the pipes are not threaded, replace them with threaded nipples. Use an adjustable wrench to adjust the connectors to the nipples.

Hence, if you follow the above steps and the tips, you will find it very simple to replace a water heater.

Source: Free Articles

Author: askafriend

Especially if you are looking to buy a residential hot water heater, you are going to be concerned with the hot water heater price that you are going to be paying. Usually if you are a renter your landlord will take care of the hot water heater price if the one that comes with your home ever fails and you need a replacement, but if you own your own home you are going to need to need to take care of this yourself.

First Step

Before you do anything, if you want to find the best hot water heater price, you are going to need to check out the selection and find out what is out there and available to you. The only real way that you are going to be able to find the best price for a hot water heater is if you take the time to compare different models.

Get Help

If you are a homeowner and want to find the best hot water heater price, you are most likely going to need a bit of help. Most homeowners are not aware of this process and sure of how to go about it, but you can rest assured knowing that there are plenty of professionals out there who will be more than willing and able to help you out through this process.

You can even take a bit of time to do some research on your own time, for instance by surfing the Internet for even just a minute or two so that you can check out the different makes and models and get a better idea of the prices that people pay for water heaters.

Take Your Time

Don’t rush this process. After all, you want to find a hot water heater that you are going to be able to keep in your home and use for years to come, and not one that is going to maybe be cheap but then need to be replaced shortly after.

Finding a great hot water heater price is important, but think quality first and foremost. Always be aware of return policies and warranties on the hot water heater, so that if anything does go wrong with it you will not be left in the dirt and will know that you can replace it or refund it and get your money back, no hassles on your part and no questions asked.