A regular storage hot water heater uses 15% to 30% of its energy just keeping the tank hot 24 hours a day whether you use it or not. An additional 5% to 10% energy loss can occur if your tank is not properly insulated. With a tankless hot water heater you only heat the water when you need it.
What You Should Know
Tankless hot water heaters cost more initially but will save energy and money in the long term. You may need to have a larger gas supply line for your tankless hot water heater and a larger vent pipe so make sure you check on the requirements before you purchase one. Tankless hot water heaters can also be used with a solar hot water system, but must be specified as such before purchase.
Easy Things You Can Do
- Buy a tankless hot water heater to replace your old, worn-out hot water heater and save 30% on your energy usage. Tankless hot water heaters are available at larger appliance stores and Home Depot.
- Caution: Tankless hot water heaters never run out of hot water, but don't use that as an excuse to take longer showers or all your energy savings will go down the drain.
Source: 30 Simple Energy Things You Can Do To Save The Earth (The Earth Works Group and PG&E), U.S. DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy web site, www.energyguide.com, Acterra (David Coale)