| If you are in the market for a new water heating | | | | combustion installed. This means that outside air |
| system, compare their efficiency before deciding | | | | comes directly into the water heater, and the |
| on a new one. Even if you are not in the market | | | | exhaust is vented directly outside, and the |
| for a new system, it is never a bad idea to make | | | | combustion is kept completely separate from the |
| comparisons. You should not wait, like most | | | | house air. |
| people do, until your current water heating | | | | If you currently have an oil-fired boiler, then you |
| system breaks down to start considering a new | | | | could opt for an indirect tank, connecting to your |
| one. If your system happens to break in the | | | | boiler, but this is best if the boiler is relatively new. |
| middle of winter, when you most need it, you are | | | | You could also opt for an integrated unit, providing |
| not likely to take the time you need to make | | | | space heat and hot water all-in-one. Electric hot |
| adequate comparisons. | | | | water heaters are not generally recommended |
| Therefore, start thinking about a replacement and | | | | because they are not very efficient. |
| make some efficiency comparisons now, before | | | | If your currently have an electric water heater, a |
| you have to rush off and buy something without | | | | switch might save you a considerable amount of |
| knowing whether it will meet your current needs | | | | money if natural gas is available. If you are |
| or requirements. It really helps to think about the | | | | thinking about the environmental benefits of using |
| different options before a crisis occurs. | | | | electricity, then you should consider that electricity |
| Consider the fact that there are many different | | | | can only be as clean, efficient and environmentally |
| technologies available, but the most efficient | | | | beneficial as the fuel used to generate it. In the |
| water heaters are often the most difficult to find, | | | | U.S., the fuel that is mostly used to produce |
| and they tend to be the most expensive. By far, | | | | electricity is coal, which can generate a lot of |
| the most common type of water heater being | | | | pollution. |
| used in the U.S. is the storage type. They can be | | | | Even if you are not going to go out and buy a |
| electric, natural gas, propane or oil, but they | | | | new water heating system, you can take a few |
| transfer heat from a burner or coil to the water | | | | simple steps and save on energy consumption |
| in an insulated tank. | | | | and money. You can try to conserve water, and |
| There are very energy-efficient, gas-fired, | | | | your biggest opportunity to save is actually by |
| storage water heaters, and they are a | | | | using less hot water. Make sure your current |
| cost-effective replacement option if there is | | | | water heater and the hot water pipes are |
| already a gas line to your house. These heaters | | | | properly insulated to avoid heat loss through the |
| have high levels of insulation around the one-way | | | | pipes and tank walls. A properly insulated water |
| valves and tank, which reduces stand-by heat | | | | heater can save as much as 4% to 9% on |
| loss. For greater safety and energy efficiency, | | | | water heating bills, which is a considerable amount. |
| fuel burning water heaters should have sealed | | | | |