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Tankless water heaters

Monday, November 30th, 2009 at 7:23 pm  
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Tankless water heaters first came into widespread use in Europe after the second world war. They were shunned initially in the United States as being incapable of providing sufficient volumes of hot water at high enough temperatures. They were adopted in other parts of the world though and gradually evolved into the efficient high tech models we see today. Now that energy costs have risen dramatically in the united states tankless water heaters are becoming a viable option for many households.

Basically a tankless water heater consists of a coil of tubing wrapped around a copper sleeve called a heat exchanger. When a fixture is turned on the unit detects a call for heat and instantly turns on a gas burner or an electrical element which transfers its heat directly into that water via the heat exchanger.

The energy is sufficient to heat that water instantly to the desired temperature and the result is instant hot water that never runs out. Most new units are completely self sufficient and use electronic ignition to light the gas, eliminating the need for a standing pilot. Temperature is easily controlled from a digital touch pad which can be located anywhere in the house.

Tankless water heaters have many benefits. They save money on energy because they only heat water when it is needed. That hot water is made at the unit the instant you turn on a fixture and it never runs out which makes them great for filling large tubs or taking long uninterrupted showers. They are also a lot smaller than a tank type water heater and able to be mounted on a wall which can free up a lot of space in your garage or utility closet when installed. With the implementation of a touch screen you can control temperature precisely allowing you to set the temperature of the water down eliminating the need to mix overly hot water with cold water at the faucet as is the case with tank type water heaters.

A new Energy Tax Credit Bill was introduced that promotes use of Tankless Water Heaters. The Energy Tax Credit started on January 1, 2006 and will continue through December 31, 2007. You can receive a credit of up to $300 for the installation of a tankless type water heater.

Despite the benefits there are some things to consider before you decide to install a tankless water heater. Most models require at minimum a ¾ inch gas line to supply enough gas to the unit. A 7.4 gpm unit can use 199,900 BTU at peak operation as opposed to a 40 gallon tank type water heater that uses around 40,000 BTU. In some cases the gas line is not sufficient and a new dedicated line may need to be run from the meter to supply the unit which adds to the cost of installation. A tankless water heater costs about 3 times as much as a regular tank type and installation costs are higher because of the extra labor involved as well as materials. Gas fired tankless water heaters require a special sealed, stainless steel venting because they use an electric blower to force the exhaust gases outside. This means that your old venting is not able to be used at all. It does mean though that they can be vented through an outside wall instead of out the roof. If you opt for an electric model gas supply and venting problems are eliminated but if your service is not able to handle the amperage of the unit it may need to be upgraded. Also there are issues with the hardness of the water here in Rio Rancho and surrounding areas and tankless type water heaters can sometimes be prone to build up inside the heat exchanger coil. There are ways to clean and prevent this buildup but they are extra costs to consider.

A tankless water heater is not for every household but the benefits of reduced energy costs with unlimited hot water is a big draw for people. They are fairly straight forward to install and the extra cost of installation will be eventually paid back through energy savings over the years. Most models come with a 10 year warranty on the heat exchanger which exceeds that of the average tank type model. Always research before you decide to purchase to make sure the model you select is right for your situation. If you do finally decide to install a tankless water heater you can be assured of cheap unlimited hot water for many years to come.


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Bring Sunshine and Natural Light Into Your Home

Monday, November 30th, 2009 at 12:16 pm  
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Skylights and sky tunnels are an affordable and easy way to bring sunshine and natural light into every space in your home. There are different types of skylights that can be used for different purposes and locations. Venting skylights can be used in kitchens and bathrooms to take unwanted humidity out of the room. Nonventing skylights, self flashed skylights and tubular skylights are other types that can be used throughout your living space. You can give new life to your old rooms in creative way with skylights. Skylights will add value to your home and make your rooms seem larger.
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rWith skylights you will get over 30% more light than you would with vertical windows; plus you will have perfect views of the sky. If you are concerned about privacy you can get a variety of sun screening accessories for both fixed and vented skylights. There are new skylights on the market today that offer pre-engineered flashing kits for homes or buildings with shingles, tiles and metal roofs. They skylights are designed to prevent leaks and when properly installed they are leaf proof.
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rYou can quickly and easily install skylights which will make a beautiful addition to any room and supply natural light. There are a variety of different types of skylights to choose from, including sun tunnels, tubular skylights and venting skylights. Sun tunnels and tubular skylights are perfect for bathrooms, walk-in closets, and hallways. You can easily install these types of skylights in a couple hours.
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rVenting skylights will serve a dual purpose by allowing natural light to enter your home and allowing the air to be circulated throughout your home. You can reduce energy costs by installing skylights to let more light inside your home. Venting skylights that are installed in bathroom will give you extra natural light and will help eliminate moisture in the air. Using vented skylights in a bathroom will give you privacy, fresh air and will let moist air escape.
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rInstalling venting skylights will give you several benefits, such as; improving indoor air quality and at the same time being energy efficient. You will get many benefits from installing venting skylights in your kitchen and dining area. These types of skylights will allow hot air and odors to escape. You can lower energy costs and allow natural light to flow through your cooking area. Venting skylights will also add a nice touch to your dining area. You will really appreciate them when you are entertaining guests in your home because they will help circulate the air and keep the room from becoming stuffy and warm.
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rAdding venting skylights, sun tunnels, and tubular skylights are a sound investment that will pay for themselves over time. The natural light that will pour through your rooms will cut down on lighting costs. You will also be able to save on energy costs by using venting skylights to help circulate the air instead of fans. The natural light will also make your rooms feel more inviting and add value to your property.


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