| With the recent high publicity given to rising | | | | from coal and other highly polluting fossil fuels, it |
| energy costs and global warming, the major | | | | would be preferable to choose a gas water |
| water heater manufacturers have been | | | | heating backup system. With either backup these |
| competing to develop more eco friendly or | | | | hybrid models are not truly "green" water |
| "green" water heaters. As a result many high | | | | heaters, but they are more efficient and eco |
| efficiency gas and electric models with low NOx | | | | friendly than other commercially available models |
| and carbon dioxide emissions have appeared on | | | | Solar water heating units are more expensive |
| the market over the past couple of years. | | | | than other models, but you can pay for your |
| Although these efforts to reduce environmental | | | | solar water heater in 10 years from the savings |
| pollution are laudable, most of these new models | | | | in your utility bills. In addition you can claim a 30% |
| still utilize non-renewable energy sources and are | | | | Energy Star tax credit, which can be applied to |
| therefore not truly "green" water heaters. A | | | | the purchase price and the installation costs. |
| "green" water heater is fuelled by a renewable | | | | Other lesser known "green" water heaters are |
| and sustainable energy source and does not | | | | the heat pump models. A heat pump water |
| produce any pollution at all. | | | | heater consists of a heat pump and a hot water |
| Solar water heating systems satisfy these | | | | tank. The heat pump operates like an air |
| criteria, and with the increasing awareness of | | | | conditioner in reverse. It extracts heat from the |
| environmental degradation more and more | | | | surrounding air and utilizes this heat to raise the |
| households have been converting to solar. In fact, | | | | temperature of the water. Amazingly, these units |
| the value of your house will increase if you install | | | | can operate efficiently at air temperatures as low |
| a solar powered water heater. Recently the State | | | | as 40 degrees Fahrenheit. |
| of Hawaii mandated the installation of solar water | | | | Most commercially available heat pump models are |
| heaters in all newly constructed houses, and solar | | | | actually hybrid units because they have backup |
| water heating systems are being installed in many | | | | electrical elements in the tank. Heat pumps heat |
| new residential developments all over the world. | | | | water relatively slowly, so the heating elements |
| This obviously makes a lot of sense in a sunny | | | | are necessary for times of high demand and |
| place like Hawaii, but what about areas where | | | | when the air temperature is very low. |
| there is a fair amount of rain and snow? If you | | | | You can also purchase stand-alone heat pumps |
| live in one of these areas, you will either need to | | | | which you can be added on to your electrical |
| purchase an adequate solar energy storage | | | | water heater. They can cut your water bill by as |
| system, or you will need to install a back-up | | | | much as 70%. |
| water heating system. | | | | Heat pump units are very new on the market, |
| Most commercially available solar water heaters | | | | and both the Rheem heat pump model and the |
| have back-up electrical heating elements in the hot | | | | GE hybrid water heater have sparked a great |
| water tank. Because most electricity is produced | | | | deal of interest. |