Every resident, whether you own your home or rent, is concerned about energy consumption. For some, how much energy your household consumes can make or break your budget. The City of Tallahassee, which is an internationally recognized leader in environmental stewardship, is at the forefront of offering residential utility customers with alternative energies to help conserve energy and save money – making home a little cozier.
In the average American home, the water heater is the second biggest energy consumer, right behind the heating and cooling system. Heating water is a large expense and can account for up to 30 percent of a home’s utility bill. This expense makes picking the right water heater an important decision for both your comfort and convenience and for keeping energy costs under control. The yellow Energy Guide label on a new appliance provides the estimated annual cost of operation.
Tank-style or Tankless?
There are two primary types of residential gas water heaters available – storage tank and tankless. When deciding on a gas water heater, consider your water heating needs and energy use habits. If you have a family of three or four, a tankless water heater may be the best fit for your home. If one or two people are in the home and your hot water needs extend to daily showers and kitchen chores, then a tank-style may suit you best.
Tank-style or Storage Water Heaters
The most popular type of water heater for residential use is the storage water heater, which combines a gas burner with an insulated tank to store hot water. A storage water heater works by taking cold water from the home’s water supply and moving it to the bottom of the tank where it’s heated by a gas burner controlled by a thermostat. Since hot water is lighter than cold water, the heated water rises to the top of the tank where a delivery pipe sends it throughout the home. When the hot water leaves the tank and colder water replaces it in the bottom of the tank, the burner automatically comes on again to heat the new water. Storage tanks are normally made of steel, with insulated interiors lined with glass or another material to prevent corrosion. The burner is lit by a standing pilot light or by an electronic or spark ignition.
Tankless or Instantaneous Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters can be wall mounted or freestanding and are usually located close to where the hot water is used. These compact units have a gas burner that ignites when a hot water faucet is turned on. The burner heats the water instantaneously as it is being used and turns off when the faucet is turned off. These water heaters can provide from two to four gallons of hot water per minute, and because these units do not store water, there is no standby heat loss.
No matter what you choose, the City offers rebates and low-interest loans to help residential utility customers purchase and install natural gas water heaters. For first-time installation replacing electric or propane, residents can apply for a $675 natural gas appliance rebate. If it’s time to replace your existing natural gas water heater, a $300 rebate is available. To see specific details and submit an application, visit Talgov.com.
