Heaters

Save Money With Solar Water Heater

With the ever-rising costs of utilities such as gas and electric, many people have found that a solar water heater can save them money. By utilizing this naturally occurring resource, utility costs are kept down while still enjoying a steady supply of hot water. Remembering there is no cost for operation of a solar water heater.

A solar water heater works on the same principal of any other solar-powered electric operated item. The heat from the sun is converted into electrical energy and stored is special batteries and the power is used as required. When the batteries start to become low, a regulator automatically flips an internal switch, recharging the batteries.

While the initial cost of a solar water heater will probably be higher than other types, it will save money in the long-run as the energy from the sun is free, therefore no annual operating costs. One downside, however, may be in areas accustomed to significant show fall in which snow build up may have to be removed in order for the solar panels to work properly. This issue can be addressed by adding solar-powered heating strips to keep the snow melted.

Choosing System For Your Home

Understand that a solar water heater relies on solar panels typically installed into the roof of the house. Fortunately them come in a variety of colors to fit into the color scheme of your home. They are also available in a variety of configurations to help stay within your budget.

If you can not afford a 100% solar water heater, consider adding panels as you can afford to, starting small to provide a portion of your water heating bills. A general rule of thumb is to have one gallon of water storage for every square foot of collector area. The panels will also need to face the south and a path from the collectors to the hot water tank should be no more than 40 feet. Although 80 feet is possible with proper insulation.

In many cases the existing hot water tank can be used, but if its capacity is not big enough an add-on tank can be installed. Generally speaking, a 50-gallon water tank is best for efficiency with 40 square feet of solar panels, with a good electrical path, but a 40 gallon solar water heater can be used with as little of 30 square feet of panels.

Water Heater Services Keeps Hot Water Flowing

There’s little more frustrating than jumping in the shower and finding no hot water. Keeping your hot water tank efficiently working requires a few simple water heater services that can be performed with calling in an expert.

First, most manufacturers ship new water tanks with the temperature set fairly high. Reducing the thermostat that controls the water temperature to about 115 degrees will help keep your water heater services running longer as well as provide comfortable hot water throughout your house.

About once every month or so you should drain water from the bottom of the tank to remove or reduce the amount of build-up. Opening the drain until the water runs clear is one of the water heater services that can also help reduce operating costs. As materials build up in the tank, it not only reduces the amount of space for water, but also will take longer to heat the water that is in the tank.

A little mechanical aptitude can go a long way in water heater services as a couple of other tips involve fixing leaking faucets and using low-flow showerheads. This will help reduce the amount of work the tank has to do to keep the water hot and the less the tank works, the longer it should last.

Condition Determines Replacement Need

With the number of things that can go wrong with a hot water tank, it’s important to know what to look for to spot trouble before it happens. All hot water tanks, whether gas or electric, are fitted with a pressure relief valve. If you find this valve leaking it’s a sign of potential problems and signals a need for water heater services.

On gas hot water tanks the typical call for water heater services is caused by a faulty thermocouple. This piece is what makes sure the pilot light stays turned on and firing the main burner when the thermostat indicates the water temperature in the tank needs heated. When the thermocouple fails, the pilot light will not stay on.

On electric hot water tanks, thermostat failure is usually the cause of water heater services needs. One of two things happen when the thermostat goes bad. Either the water will not be heated or it will be over heated, causing the pressure valve to bleed off the excess pressure.

While most minor water heater services can be performed by the homeowner, those uncomfortable with performing this type of work, or if the water heater services involves plumbing, gas or electric connections, it may be best to call in a licensed professional.

The Many Functions Of Electric Heaters

The first thing most people think of when you mention electric heaters is a household furnace that provides warm, circulating air throughout the house via a series of ducts and vents.

Using electric energy for structure-heating purposes is commonplace both in residences and in public buildings. However, heaters of this sort are more expensive than an energy source consisting of the combustion of sort of fuel like natural gas. But for most consumers – business or household- electric heaters make up for their higher price tag by providing convenience, cleanliness and reduced space needs as compared to fuel-burning heat sources.

How Do Electrical Heaters Work?

The warmth from an electric heater comes from electric coils or strips configured in diverse patterns. For example, heat conductors (vents) can be placed in or on walls, under windows, or as baseboard radiation in all or only part of a room. Heating elements can even be contained in ceilings or floors to radiate low-temperature heat into a specific space. In fact, many homes built after 2000 contain innovative floor heating, especially in homes located in colder climates. The heating elements are built under the flooring. Warm tile and wood floors feel wonderful on bare feet when the early morning temperature is frigid! This type of electric heater can even radiate its warmth under carpeting. Real estate agents recognize that this new type of home electric heaters is an innovation whose time has come, and is no more expensive than traditional baseboard heat, common in the New England area.

Are There Other Types Of Electric Heaters?

Homes that lack central heating systems may be equipped with portable electric heaters. Commonly called “space heaters,” these devices can be both blessings and curses, depending upon the degree of your care in using them. The advantage of portable electric heaters is that they can be moved from room to room, and heat only the area that you’re in at the time. These devices range in power from “high heat” created by more numerous power coils, and “low heat” derived from fewer, less potent coils. When used wisely, this type of heater can warm cold feet in a poorly heated work environment or, on high heat, can create sufficient warmth in a small room. Keep in mind that unattended electric space heaters are second only to cigarettes major fire hazards. Make sure your unit has an automatic “cut off” function if the heater is tipped over. Never leave an electric space heater unattended for any reason! Your life may depend upon your vigilance.

Work Comfortably With A Garage Heater

Working outdoors in the winter is rarely fun and if your workshop is in your garage you will want a garage heater to vastly improve working conditions. The type of heater you select will be decided by the need, the size of the garage and your budget.

For occasional use, an electric space heater may provide the heat you need provided you can afford the short time it will take to heat the area before starting work. Many electric space heaters work well for small spaces and, while there are larger units, they may not offer the efficiency in a garage heater you are looking for.

A gas garage heater may work better for someone who spends a lot of time working in their garage. Whether natural gas or propane, a gas-fired garage heater will need to be properly vented to insure potentially toxic fumes are released outdoors. Additionally, it is recommended, and in some areas required, the gas and electric connections are completed by a licensed professional.

Overhead heaters, gas or electric, can be hung from the ceiling and provide an even distribution of forced warm air throughout the entire structure. A garage heater of this type is generally used in larger garages with substantial use.

Thermostats Control Inside Temperature

Many hard-wired garage heaters will also have a thermostat to control the temperature in the garage. This is especially useful if you plan to maintain a constant heat for preservation of a vehicle or other supplies. This type garage heater, which is generally more expensive, can be useful if you plan to use the garage on a regular basis.

Forced air garage heaters, that is those whose heat is dispersed by a fan or other mechanical means, offer a much better air flow than gravity heaters. Much like older-style wood burning stoves, count on the rising of the heat forcing cold air down closer to the heating unit to prompt circulation of the warm air.

Once such array for a garage heater could be a stove on one side of the garage, which is fitted with a cone-shaped collector, then to duct work through the garage with connected down flow pipes. Heated air from the stove rises into the collector, then is moved through the piping and throughout the garage. Creating a gravity forced source of heat beyond the immediate area of the stove. The stove itself, however would need to be properly vented and the open flame from a wood burning stove can be a potential fire hazard.