| Space Heating - A Consumer Guide to Costs & | | | | through the house in heating ducts whilst the |
| Benefits | | | | heated water is ready in the tank for domestic |
| This is a great idea which heats your house and | | | | use. |
| provides domestic hot water from a single space | | | | The second type of space heating comprises a |
| heating water heater: | | | | boiler which gives hot water to the radiant heating |
| Costs & Benefits | | | | loops and a storage tank for heated water. In |
| The cost of a space heating water heating | | | | place of using a boiler, a tankless gas water |
| combination unit is higher than that of a separate | | | | heater can provide instant heated water for |
| heater and furnace. However, installation costs are | | | | domestic use and service a hydronic heat loop. |
| lower owing the absence of a furnace. There are | | | | Tankless hot water heaters are usually situated |
| some rebates and tax credit programs on offer in | | | | fairly close to the point of use, which is generally |
| certain state and local jurisdictions, which would | | | | the bathroom or kitchen and only give localized |
| offset the higher initial cost. There are fewer | | | | space heating and instant heated water in one |
| moving parts in a space heating water heater and | | | | outlet. Boilers, on the other hand, can be large |
| this means easy maintenance and fewer services. | | | | enough to supply an entire house. |
| Tankless space heating only need a small space | | | | Installation |
| close to the sink and this means that you save a | | | | The capacity needs to be carefully controlled, so |
| lot of space with this system. Some systems are | | | | each installation should be carried out by someone |
| more efficient than the traditional heaters and will | | | | who has expert skill with that particular system. |
| give reduced utility costs. A super efficient | | | | You can install the systems in new buildings or use |
| tankless gas water heater used as a space | | | | them for remodeling. When setting up a space |
| heating water heater can provide 125 gallons of | | | | heating water heating system you need a higher |
| hot water per hour, so it functions like an instant | | | | output quick recovery unit for some systems, like |
| water heater. The energy efficiency of the boiler | | | | an electric forced hot air handler serviced by a |
| or hot water tank storage system comes from | | | | hydronic heating coil. |
| the dual use, which reduces standing water heat | | | | Space heating water heater installation should be |
| loss and offsets electric energy use with natural | | | | done by a licensed HVAC trade contractor |
| gas. The Department of Energy reports that | | | | working with a licensed plumber if part of the |
| methods which use only one heat source for both | | | | system is a water heater. A boiler system can be |
| water and air generally lower domestic energy | | | | plumbed in by an HVAC contractor or a plumber. |
| use by 27%. | | | | In new homes heaters are usually designed as a |
| How It Works | | | | modular or integral system, so in place of a |
| There are a number of commercially available that | | | | separate water heater and furnace, only one unit |
| provide both space heating and hot water. The | | | | is needed. |
| designs have one principle heat source shared | | | | You can also get retrofit units which use the |
| between two other pieces of equipment, a tank | | | | existing one, but consult a plumbing supplies |
| water heater and an air handler and these make | | | | expert for more information. You need lengths of |
| up a space heating water heater system. | | | | copper pipe for the pump attachment on the heat |
| One method comprises a high output heating tank | | | | distribution line. An alternative is plastic piping which |
| which is connected to an air handler by means of | | | | has been approved in certain locations. |
| a coiled pipe loop. The pipe coil gives auxiliary heat | | | | Conventional galvanized ducts are used for space |
| for the air handler in a heat pump system, | | | | heating water heater systems and need to be |
| through the action of a heat exchanger. This | | | | sealed carefully to avoid air leakage or let dust |
| forces hot air out and a blower circulates it | | | | get into the system. |