Energy Star Water Heaters

Get a Point of Use Water Heater this Year

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Frugal Living Presents Energy Star Water Heaters Part 2

A focus for frugal living is finding cheaper ways to maintain our homes while remaining comfortable. Point of use water heaters can help manage your savings goals.

The EPA collaborated with the US Department of Energy to create the Energy Star program to identify household appliances that improve air quality, use less energy, and reduce utility costs for homeowners.

The installation of an energy star water heater can also save money by earning energy star tax credits.

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Water heating is the third largest energy user in the home after heating and cooling. Charges for heating oil, natural gas, and electricity are unpredictable. Homeowners are searching for different ways to heat water for their homes.

There are alternative methods for heating water that are rapidly gaining in popularity such as a heat pump water heater, solar water heater, point of use water heater, or propane tankless water heater.

Depending on the usage requirements, energy star appliances save homeowners significantly on their home utility bills. A high efficiency water heater stretches your budgeted home expense to its limits.

A good choice to lean towards if you want instant hot water with out having to pay for the tank full of water staying hot weather you use it or not, would be a point of use water heater.

Heat pump water heaters are more efficient over the standard electric models. The units are available with built in tanks or as an add-on to an existing model. Energy star water heaters such as propane tankless units are eligible for 2009 federal tax credits.

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Using the sun to heat water has been a technology used for decades. Solar water heaters offer a renewable energy source and are virtually cost free. Units are considerably more reliable and cost less now than in previous years. The initial investment is made easier to manage with energy star tax credits and rebates. Solar power can save up to 75% on your water heating needs in the long run.

* The capacity size of the water heater is an important consideration. The unit should supply adequate hot water at the busiest time of use.

* Consider the fact, that although, energy star appliances may initially cost more upfront, an energy star water heater consumes less energy than older models to save in the long haul.

* As an added frugal living tip, for electric water heaters installed prior to 2004, install an insulating jacket. This effective do it yourself energy saving project saves as much as 9% of the watering heating cost.

There are two basic ways to reduce the amount of energy your home uses. The first is to utilize conservation measures. The second is to harness an alternative source. To discover the methods to best approach these goals, take stock of your needs and the potential resources available.

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If you have a large family and spend a high percentage of energy dollars on supplying hot water, a priority should be finding a way to save without sacrificing your family's comfort.

The main benefit of an instant hot water heater is energy efficiency. Don't wait until you are over your head in rising bills and water leaking from a worn out water heater!

Savings vary, but homeowners usually can expect to cut their hot water heating costs by at least half and sometimes more. By installing an energy star water heater, your family will be clean and "green"! 

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