The Bite:
Switch to an on-demand (aka tankless) water heater. These gizmos heat up water quickly, as you need it, instead of drawing from a big heated tank, helping you get a little closer to eco-equilibrium.
Is your water heater environmentally demanding?
01.28.2008
Submitted by tmeronek on Mon, 01/28/2008 - 1:28am.
The Benefits:
- A perfect supply chain. Whenever you turn on the hot-water tap, water instantly flows into the on-demand heater, delivering steamy-hot H2O to the entire house.
- Less gross domestic production of CO2. Even if you flunked Econ 101, you can still figure out that you're decreasing emissions; on-demand water heaters use 45%-60% less energy than standard models.
- Opportunistic savings. You'll recoup the initial costs in about 10 years, and over 20 years an average household can expect to save up to $1,800 by making the switch.
Personally Speaking:
When Toshio first moved to SF, he lived in a tiny Victorian with seven roommates, their various girlfriends and boyfriends, two cats, a dog, and a gnarly stench coming from the backyard. He knew it was time to move when some sleeping bags piled next to the water heater caught on fire.
Wanna Try:
- Takagi USA - top-of-the-line tankless water heater company that has models that can heat up to 5 gal per min.
- GreenHomeGuide - great rundown of what to look for when buying a tankless water heater.
Cocktail Fact
The Discovery Channel's MythBusters show confirmed that it is possible for a tank water heater to explode like a rocket, 500 ft into the air.
Bang For The Bite
If 10,000 Biters choose an on-demand water heater instead of a typical tank, in a year the CO2 emissions we'll avert will be equal to planting 1,500 trees.
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