As previously stated, with the high cost of natural gas this winter, let’s start cutting back on energy. HERE is a good article on how much electricity your stuff uses.   Also, let’s break down how much your gas bill will be.  To estimate how much it will cost you to operate a natural gas appliance or piece of equipment each month, you need to do three things:

Determine how many therms that appliance or piece of equipment uses each month.
Determine your cost per therm rate. Your cost per therm rate can be found on your paper bill.
Calculate the natural gas usage and expense. (Remember, your calculations will be approximate.)

A average water heater uses about 18 therms a month. Multiply that by $1.67 (estimated average across the USA) per therm = 30.06 estimated monthly cost of natural gas to operate your water heater.  This is an old estimate, but it gives you an idea of how to figure it out.

We want to first discuss Tankless Water Heaters.  This is something that companies are pushing because they are supposed to “save energy”.  This is done by only taking water when you “need” it.  They are also called an “on-demand” water heater.  These seem to be what everyone is talking about right now.  Let us first tell you, we commend you on trying to conserve energy, if you have looked into these, or already have one.  Now that that is out of the way, let’s talk about the biggest downfall there is.  Natural Gas is going through the roof, and if you are looking at a nat gas tankless water heater, you are looking at a hefty gas bill every month.  For more in depth information, “Ask the Builder” has done a lot of research, check it out.

Solar Power Water Heater:  Having half of all households use solar water heaters might not be such a tall order. According to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI), there are 1.5 million solar water heaters already in use in U.S. homes and businesses. Solar water heater systems can work in any climate and EESI estimates that 40 percent of all U.S. homes have sufficient access to sunlight such that 29 million additional solar water heaters could be installed right now.  According to the EESI, residential solar water heater systems cost between $1,500 and $3,500, compared to $150 to $450 for electric and gas heaters. With savings in electricity or natural gas, solar water heaters pay for themselves within four to eight years. And solar water heaters last between 15 and 40 years–the same as conventional systems–so after that initial payback period is up, zero energy cost essentially means having free hot water for years to come.  What’s more, in 2005 the U.S. began offering homeowners tax credits of up to 30 percent (capped at $2,000) of the cost of installing a solar water heater. The credit is not available for swimming pool or hot tub heaters, and the system must be certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation.

HERE is a good starting article about Solar Water Heaters, and information to get you started

THIS is a great link of more information.

Hopefully this post empowers you to Take a Stand against the high energy costs.

If you have done a water heater, shopped for a water heater, or in general have some insight on water heaters and saving energy, let us know.

Take a Stand, Make a difference