Water Heaters

Energy Star Now Rates Water Heaters

2009-10-31T12:51:00.001-07:00

According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), water heating accounts for up to 17 percent of national residential energy consumption, the third largest energy end-use in homes behind heating and cooling units and kitchen appliances. As homeowners install amenities that require increased hot water volume, such as luxury tubs and custom showers, the percentage of energy used to heat water will continue to rise.

In an attempt to address this significant percentage of energy consumption, DOE has developed ENERGY STAR criteria for water heaters, the last major residential appliance that the program has not addressed. According to DOE projections, Americans are expected to save approximately $780 million in utility costs while avoiding 4.2 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions by the end of the fifth year in effect.

Five categories of residential water heaters will be eligible for Energy Star labeling - high-performance gas storage, whole-home gas tankless, advanced drop-in or integrated heat pump, solar and gas condensing. The new Energy Star criteria go into effect in 2009.

"The Energy Star program empowers consumers to make smart energy choices that will save money and energy, and reduce our carbon footprint," said DOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Andy Krassner. "Expansion of the Energy Star program to include water heaters will give Americans yet another way to more efficiently use energy in their homes and, in the interest of increasing energy security and addressing climate change, help further the President's goal of fundamentally changing the way this nation uses power."

By leveraging the established value of the Energy Star program, DOE hopes that manufacturers will focus on developing more efficient technologies and that consumers will recognize that Energy Star water heaters will deliver similar or better performance than conventional models while using less energy and saving money. According to an April 2008 report released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Energy Star label favorably influences more than 70 percent of households, up from about 50 percent in 2003.

More than 9,000 organizations have joined Energy Star as partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes and businesses. The Energy Star label now appears on more than 40 kinds of consumer products. A.O. Smith, industry leader for more than 70 years, has engineered a full line of Energy Star water heaters to meet the hot-water needs of households while benefiting budgets and the environment.

About the author:
Ron Roberts is a writer of http://www.truebluecontractors.com ">TrueBlueContractors.com allows http://www.truebluecontractors.com ">contractors to spend less money advertising, give fewer estimates, and get more work.

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Build solar water heaters

2009-10-31T12:50:00.000-07:00

Solar water heaters are the most scientific as well as developed way to heat water. The electric water heaters are outdated and the solar water heaters will soon be taking their places, no doubt. And why not? A solar water heater helps us not only in reducing our electricity bill, but at the same time, it helps us in giving our part to save our environment and surrounding.

Types of solar water heater

Solar water heaters are of generally two main types, classified on the basis of their making status. They are

1. Ready solar water heaters : these are those kinds of solar water heater that are already manufactured and just need to be installed.
2. Build solar water heater :these are those kinds of solar water heaters that are made at home or anywhere by any individual following a particular guide or manual.

Build solar water heater

By making your solar water heater, you are able to reduce the electricity bills. And at the same time, the investment also decreases compared to the readymade solar water heaters. It is very easy to build solar water heater. All it needs and requires are few things from the hardware store, few project schematics and that’s all. Only by assembling these things, you can make your own solar heater. The time required depends on how big solar water heater are you making. Bigger the heater, more it is going to take time.

Build solar water heater for home

There are few options provided while making a solar water heater. Either it is made for use at home or at some other place.

If it is made for home, then all you need to do is to set up a solar panel at your house. This is to be set where it can receive maximum sunlight. And then this solar panel is connected to the existing heating system. Also a high capacity battery can be installed for the back up purposes. It can help you when the sun is not out. If you don’t have a heating system, then you should go for a ‘real time solar water heater’. It heats the water without storing it.

About the author:
For more comprehensive ideas, check out simpleheaters guide on building solar water heaters

Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

On-Demand Water Heating from Efficent Tankless Water Heaters

2009-10-31T12:48:00.000-07:00

With the rising energy costs there has been an increase in interest for energy saving appliances. Efficent "tankless" water heaters have become very popular for their capability to heat hot water on demand, with no storage tank required. Instead of holding water in a traditional water tank, they circulate the cold water through a series of electrically heated coils that warm the water as it moves pass this heat source. This newer process of warming water requires more expensive equipment than the conventional water heater, but this money is regained in the long term with energy efficiency savings. The energy savings is mainly gained from no longer needing to heat an entire tank of water.

Since the tankless water heaters do not store hot water but rather constantly heat water as it is demanded, they do not run out of hot water. There is one exception, to this "endless" supply of heated water. The flow rate is limited. In other words if you simultaneously use more water than the flow of the water heater (i.e. 3 people showering at one time) you will receive unheated water.

Since conventional water heater stores the water together in a large tank it is able to provide water at a set temperature. Tankless water heaters differ in this aspect since they are dependent upon the incoming water temperature and the flow rate. The incoming water temperature can vary greatly from summer to winter. The capacity of a tankless water heater is generally measured by how many temperature degrees it can increase water temperature by gallons per minute (gpm). Most tankless water heaters are powered by gas to better handle the heat output and response time required. These gas powered water heaters require proper venting, normally more venting than the older, conventional water heaters required. If you are replacing a conventional electric water heater tank, you may want to add a power vent in the side of the wall. This would be the less costly alternative if there is no existing roof vent. Some of the smaller and more portable single-fixture units are powered electrically.

Author Bio
Jack Russell is a retired construction worker who spends his free time as a freelance writer for sites like www.foremansfinder.com - an industrial resource site.

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Before You Get Into Hot Water: Gas Water Heater Installation

2009-09-30T10:24:00.000-07:00

Gas water heaters can provide a number of reliable years of service to the individual’s home or place of business. However, as in all things, nothing lasts forever. Therefore there may come that time when a gas water heater needs to be replaced.

In order to have a new gas water heater installation take place there are a number of financial and technical steps that need to take place. Subsequently a gas water heater installation needs to be accomplished as reasonably as possible and yet done to ensure that the installation of the heater meets the standards and codes required to maintain the safe operation of the equipment.

Gas Water Heater Installation Planning Steps

When beginning the process of replacing an old or non-functioning gas water heater, it is important to assess or reassess the hot water needs of the household. If a 40 gallon tank was installed, perhaps the family no longer needs that sized tank. Or perhaps the size of the tank needs to be upgraded. It simply is an opportunity to make changes.

In addition, if considering a new gas water heater installation, perhaps the opportunity can be taken to look at a whole new system. For example, the owner may wish to convert to an electrical water heater system or a solar powered water heater system.

Also, when installing a new unit it is important to look at all of the features. One of the most important features is a gas water heater thermostat.

This device controls the temperature of the water and is therefore an integral part of the unit's functionality as well as providing energy saving measures. Therefore, the buyer can look for an easy to utilize and accessible thermostat.

However, the customer wants to insure that there are safety measures built into the thermostat system. This will help to prevent any accidental adjustments of the thermostat to a higher level or allowing curious children to make dangerous turns of the device which in turn may prevent scalding water from being released into the water system.

Gas Water Heater Installation Safety Measures

Also, when a gas water heater installation is taking place it is important to have professionals involved. This is because the current unit will need to be removed entirely. This process will require disconnecting the feeding line, the hot water line leading from the unit and disconnecting the gas line.

In addition, when putting in a new unit, the above lines need to be reconnected. Therefore, it is important that the person performing the gas water heater installation knows how to proceed.

In fact because of the reconnecting of a gas line, it may be mandated by code that this action be performed by a licensed plumber. This is simply due to the danger associated with a leaking natural gas line.

Before Things Heat Up: Gas Water Heater Review

2009-08-27T22:13:00.002-07:00

If considering a natural gas water heater for the home or business it is important to conduct research. This is because there are other options available as a fuel source for meeting hot water needs.

In addition, like anything else, there are various pros and cons affiliated with the use of one product over another. Therefore, if considering a natural gas water heater it is important to conduct research.

This research can be conducted in a number of ways. One particular method to utilize is the Internet to obtain a gas water heater review. In addition, a potential buyer can talk to others regarding their choice and recommendations as to what water heater to purchase.

Utilizing The Internet

When considering the installation of a water heater, it is important to do due diligence when it comes to reviewing the possibilities of which water heater to purchase and install. This is because it is necessary to not only meet the needs of the individual who is purchasing the water heater, but also to minimize the drain on the Earth's natural resources.

With this in mind there are three possibilities than an individual can explore in regards to meeting their water heater needs. Those three possibilities are an electric water heater, natural gas water heater and a solar powered water heater.

For example, if conducting research on gas water heater, it is important to the thoroughly conduct a gas water heater review. This gas water heater review can be accomplished a number of ways and each of these ways can apply when researching the other forms of energy for hot water needs.

One particular powerful way to conduct gas water heater review is to search the Internet. Suggestions on how to conduct its review would include the use of natural gas and its effect on the environment. In addition research could include the use of natural gas and the implications of conserving energy.

Also, the one conducting an electric, solar or gas water heater review could also find out how each of these three energy sources compare to the other. Comparison ratings could include the efficiency of each of these sources of power, the comparison costs of these power sources, the advantages and the disadvantages of these three energy resources.

Involving Others
Another important resource that can be approached to determine what is the best unit to have installed within a home or business is to talk to others. Specifically, one can ask neighbors, relatives, other businesses, etc. about the energy sources that they may use in meeting the hot water needs of their facility.

Specific questions could include the costs of operating any one of these three particular units and the particular disadvantages or advantages that they have experienced. In addition, it is important to get all of the facts associated with the use of these three types of water heaters.

Therefore, it is critical to talk about the installation process of any one of these three units. For example if asking about gas water heater installation it may be beneficial to ask about the installation process, cost, maintenance, upkeep, etc.

Comparison Between A Natural Gas Water Heater Or Electric

2009-08-27T22:13:00.001-07:00

There are many benefits to enjoy when a hot water heater is part of the home's plumbing system. Some of those benefits include a hot shower, thoroughly cleansing one's hands, washing dishes, etc.

To make this hot water available there are many fuel sources that are available to heat up the water. Some of those fuel sources include electricity, solar and natural gas. When considering a specific fuel source it is important to weigh the pros and cons.

Therefore, when it comes to a natural gas water heater it is important to know how this specific heating system works and what are the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing a natural gas water heater.

How A Natural Gas Water Heater Works

There are basically two types of water heaters. The electrical water heater works strictly on electrical power. Specifically, the 10, 20, 30, or 40 gallon tank is filled with water. This water is then heated through the use of two elements that run from top to bottom in the water heater. The actual temperature of the water is controlled by a thermostat. The thermostat is set at a temperature that ranges from warm to high and is controlled by the individuals within the home or business.

On the other hand, a natural gas water heater utilizes a gas burner system that is generally found along the bottom portion of the water tank. The same system that utilizes a thermostat is also in place and regulates the temperature of the hot water. However, when the thermostat sends a signal to the burners to be activated the water is then heated through the energy source of natural gas.

In addition, found in each hot water systems, is a water pipe in which unheated water flows into the tank. One additional pipe carries heated water away from the tank and to various faucets within the home or business.

Advantages And Disadvantages

There are perceived advantages and disadvantages associated with a natural gas water heater and electric water heater. Most of the advantages and disadvantages deal with a person's perception in the use of either natural gas or electricity.

Generally those perceptions deal with the efficiency of the use of either one of these energy sources. In addition, another perspective is whether the energy that is supplied to both of these systems is more cost-efficient than the other.

Therefore, it is important for the individual to determine within their own minds what the best water heater system to utilize is.

Therefore a common way of determining which system to install or utilize would be to do an electric and gas water heater review. These reviews can be accomplished by searching the Internet, talking to professionals or talking to individual owners of each set of systems.

Things Are Heating Up: Gas Hot Water Heater

2009-07-23T22:10:00.000-07:00

Gas hot water heaters have been heating the water for many businesses and households for many years. In fact when people turn on their hot water faucet to shave, shower, wash dishes, wash clothes or wash their hands, it is safe to say that not many individuals think of their gas hot water heater.

However, if that flow of hot water stopped it would be a different story. This is because having hot water is a convenience that not many people think about until it is no longer available.

Therefore, it may prove beneficial to have a little knowledge regarding a gas hot water heater. Specifically, how a gas hot water heater works and what are some things that could go wrong to make this type of heater inoperable.

How A Gas Hot Water Heater Works

A gas hot water heater is a modern day appliance that quietly functions in some remote place within the building. Specifically, the holding tank for the water comes in different sizes. Some of those different sizes could include a 10, 20, 30 or 40 gallon hot water tank. The tank is connected to two water lines. The one line leads into the tank and allows the flow of water. The other pipe leads away from the tank and carries the hot water throughout the facility.

In addition, this type of tank utilizes natural gas as the main energy source to heat up the water in the tank. The temperature of the hot water is controlled by a thermostat. When the water in the tank falls below the setting of the thermostat, the thermostat sends a signal to the gas burner to engage. This process then heats up the water in the tank until that temperature setting is reached. Once the temperature setting is reached the thermostat then sends another electrical signal to deactivate the gas burner.

When there is a demand for hot water within the facility the water then flows from the outgoing pipe to where the hot water is required. Once there is an outflow of hot water from the tank there's a corresponding flow of new water into the tank which then repeats the thermostat process of heating up the water to the required temperature.

Things That Could Go Wrong

As with any modern day convenience, there are a number of things that can go wrong with the natural gas water heater. One of the primary things that can cause a disruption in the hot water service is for the thermostat to malfunction.

Another item that could go wrong, but is less costly concerns the pilot light. The pilot light is that particular part of the natural gas water heater that constantly is aflame. Once the thermostat signals to the heating unit that the water needs to be heated the gas then begins to flow and the flame ignites the gas that flows throughout the burner system. Therefore, one of the less costlier things that can happen to stop the flow of hot water is for the pilot light to go out.

Gas Or Electric: Gas Water Heater

2009-07-23T22:08:00.001-07:00

Generally, for the most part today, having running water in the home is a convenience that many take for granted. In addition, having hot water is also something that is taken for granted unless something happens mechanically and we need to call a plumber.

If we were to think of all the everyday occurrences when hot water came out of the faucet we might appreciate this convenience a bit more. Examples of when this occurs are our daily shower, washing our hands, doing the dishes, cleaning clothes, etc.

In addition, there are many methods by which water can be heated. Our water can be heated through an electric water heater, solar power and by using a gas water heater.

Utilizing a gas water heater has been a choice of many households for a number of reasons. Therefore, if considering this method of water heating it is important to understand how a gas water heater works and its benefits.

How A Gas Water Heater Works

A gas water heater is a combination of gas and electrical appliance that heats up water within a home or business so that the individuals within that facility can have access to hot water. Basically, there are two types of water heaters. One is a gas water heater while the other one is an electric water heater.

The basic difference between the two is that one of the units, the electric water heater, utilizes heating elements within the tank to heat up the water that is within the tank. With the gas water heater the water within the tank is heated through a gas burner located at the bottom of the unit.

Basically the water enters the units through a separate tube. The heating of the water is regulated by a separate device mounted on the water heater. That separate device is called a thermostat. When the thermostat is set to a certain temperature and the water within the tank falls below that temperature, the thermostat sends a signal to the heating unit calling for activation. This activation then heats up the water to that temperature and the hot water is then ready to be used. The flow of the hot water is accomplished through the hot water pipes within the facility.

Benefits

It can be argued that the gas hot water heater is better than the electric water heater and vice versa. Generally, this argument is based on the costs associated with heating water and passing those costs on to the consumer. Frequently, the costs are associated with the energy system that is utilized.

For example with the gas hot water heater the energy source is a combination of gas and electricity. Whereas, the electric water heater utilizes electricity as its energy source. Therefore, depending upon which geographical location the household or business is located would determine the cost factors associated with utilization of electricity or gas.

Before You Make Your Electric Hot Water Heater Purchase, Review It

2009-06-28T09:12:00.001-07:00

Before you make your hot water heater purchase you should determine if you have made the best choice. Evidently you have made the choice of an electric hot water heater. To make sure that you have gotten the best bargain for you, you should takes some steps to ensure your best interests. There are four steps that we can recommend.

Step One - Look At Your Fuel Choice

If you have an availability of an electric water heater and a gas water heater, do research about the costs of the two different types of fuels, over time. Not all areas have both choices available and the rise in electricity and gas costs have altered which water heater is the best value anymore. So rather than just say an electric water heater is the better deal or that a gas water heater is the better deal, is no longer a valid designation. Check that any electric water heater review you use covers the new prices for gas and electricity.

Step Two - Check An Electric Water Heater Review

There are several consumer magazines and appliances retailers that have electric water heater reviews available for your use. Make extensive you of them to check the availability of features that you need and want.

Step Three - Look At The FHR

There is a rating on all water heaters called the first hour rating is the amount of water that will be heated and delivered in an hour. This is an important rating and should be covered in any electric water heater review, if it is not covered, you may want to look for another review for more complete information.

Step Four - Check The Energy Efficiency Rating

Each water heater listed in the electric water heater review should have an energy efficiency rating number. It is a rating of how efficiently the water heater uses fuel and the costs over time. The higher the number the better. There is also another step within this one. Check with your local electric company to determine what rebates, if any, are available for the replacement by an energy efficient electric water heater. It is not usually a large amount, but it helps with the costs.

As a final thought, there may be a rebate from your home owners insurance or home warranty company for the replacement. Sometimes the electric water heater review may note this information, if not call both companies and verify rebates or discounts for the new appliance.

Small Electric Water Heater Purchase Tips

2009-06-28T09:11:00.000-07:00

Water heaters have come some real distance in options in the last ten years. They now have a small electric water heater that fits under a counter and has seven to ten gallon capacity. While this would be of little use to a homeowner to produce the hot water needed for a full family house, but they have many uses. This small electric water heater is perfect for a cottage, guest house, RV, efficiency apartment. There are a plethora of small electric water heater manufacturers and models available to choose from. The choices are such that the items that you would normally consider for a purchase of other full size appliances come into play.

One of the easiest ways to first determine which small electric water heater to purchase is to find and read carefully a electric water heater review. Once you have done this, seriously consider exactly what you want this small electric water heater to do. Such as, if it is to supplement an existing large water heater, what capacity do you need? If it is rarely used, would a tankless water heating system be better? They have a small electric water heater that produces hot water for perhaps an office break-room.

What you are calling on the small electric water heater to do, can give you additional options. If this is for occasional use in a cottage, the on demand water heater may be your best option. Or if its for an RV would a tankless system provide what you need and not have problems being out of use for months at a time.

Caveats in Purchasing a Small Electric Water Heater

The caveat list is not long, but it should be checked carefully to avoid wasting your money with a small electric water heater product that will not supply what you need.

Backflow issues if this is to be installed inline may require additional backflow valves.

If it produces seven to ten gallons of hot water we are not discussing a shower type of water heater.

While they plug into a normal outlet plug, make sure it will not overload the breaker it is on.

A tankless on-demand water heater does not have the same amount of waterflow as a regular water heater.

Most of these small electric water heater units are considered to be a booster, to provide additional hot water to an existing system.

The units may be small but the prices are not substantially lower on the small electric water heater than the regular full-size water heater.

Fuel Costs On Tank Style Water Heaters Can Be Reduced With Small Choices Like a Electric Water Heater Timer

2009-05-23T00:27:00.000-07:00

In light of the new, exponential, fuel price increases savings of your utility dollars have become more than an eco-friendly choice, they have become a necessity in many households. Here are some steps that can help to lower those bills that have far outstripped your budget without any increase in your use. Some require small purchases of an additional insulation jacket, a electric water heater timer, additional insulation, or purchase of a tankless or small electric water heater.

Steps

Turn down the thermostat. A tank style water heater can and does keep your water hot all day and all night, regardless if you need it at those times or not. So if you turn down the thermostat is expends less energy every hour of the day and night.
Insulate your hot water heater tank. You can get an additional insulation jacket that is the correct size for your hot water heater and it will jacket your heater and reduce the heat loss. This is a good idea as the older water heaters had less insulation.
Buy and electric water heater timer. An electric water heater timer is exactly what it sounds like. It is a timer that tells your water heater when to turn off and when to turn back on. This way instead of running all day and all night, you could shut it off for the night and have it come on an hour before you get up. Have it shut down during the day while you are gone to work and heat back up when you are on your way home. The electric water heater timer can also shut off the system while you are traveling to save you money.
Add insulation to the room in which the water heater is located. This helps the water heater to loose less heat.
You can add an on-demand tankless or small electric water heater to your system to cut down on costs, as they heat water only when its in use, not when its just being stored.

Unfortunately, there are small or larger costs involved in these long term cost savings. The electric water heater timer is about $50.00. The insulation jacket is about $30.00 to $50.00. Regular insulation could cost you aroung $300.00 to $1,000.00. An on-demand tankless or small electric water heater can cost anywhere from $300.00 to $2,500.00.

Finding the Best Electric Water Heater For You

2009-05-23T00:26:00.000-07:00

When you are in search of the best electric water heater, it can be a real chore. There are no many choices available, so much information, and most of it not all in one place. This is going to try and give you some ideas for purchasing the best electric water heater. One thing to remember first, not every water heater is the best electric water heater for you. Here are some items to check to find the best electric water heater for your needs.

Energy Efficiency Rating

Your water heater choices will all have an energy efficiency rating number. That number is how energy efficient your appliance is and what it will cost you to operate. That number provides you two things, its tells you water heater is going to cost you more, over time. It also provides you the information you will need to contact your local utility company to see if you qualify for a rebate for energy efficient appliance upgrade. Your best electric water heater will have a high energy efficiency rating, for you cost savings over time and a number sufficient to qualify you for a rebate.

Warranty

Next issue which could make your water heater purchase choices narrow, is you warranty. You want a warranty of at least 12 years. Many water heaters will come with a 6 year warranty, but the water heaters with a 12 year warranty are usually made with better materials. Your best electric water heater needs to have the 12 year warranty, otherwise you will be back making decisions of this type too soon.

Water Heater Size By Gallons

Water heaters come with different gallon sizes from 3 to 80. If the number is below 20 gallons you are not looking at a house water heater, but a booster or on demand water heater. Find out how many gallons your current water heater has. This will either be on a label on the body or on an engraved plate on the body. Is the current water heating situation sufficient for you. If not, look into a larger water heater. The downside to a larger water heater is the additional energy to run it. If you do not want higher electric bills, then you need to stay with the same size water heater to make it the best electric water heater for you. Also check the first hour rating, with is how much heated water the heater can produce in one hour.

Last The Cost For The Heater

Check the prices of the units with the factors we laid out above. Find the most in the different categories for the minimum amount of your money. Purchase from a reputable source so that you can have support for the major purchase you are making. Now you will have the best electric water heater, for you.

The Ideal Greenhouse Heaters To Choose From

2009-04-27T08:32:00.001-07:00

The reason why greenhouse heaters are so important is due to the fact that the temperature changes on regular basis through out the day and night. At some stage it could drop to a low point that would not be very healthy for the plants.

That is the main reason why it is vital to keep the temperature at a suitable level so that the plants growth will be successful. When you choose a greenhouse heater it is very important that you also take into consideration not the fact that it can keep a good temperature during cold winter nights but making sure the costs of installing and running it are not to high

There are numerous kinds of greenhouse heaters

Gas Heaters - Due to the fact that these heaters are fueled by either bottled or natural gas you will find they will be much less efficient that electric greenhouse heaters.

Another factor to remember is that the waste that is created is released into the greenhouse which will then require you to have a ventilation system in place. Gas heaters are not as safe and will need to placed in a very safe location, they will also need constant check ups and you will probably need to replace it every now and again.

Electric heaters - These type of heaters are suited best for the smaller greenhouse structures. Electric heaters are able to efficiently maintain the chosen temperature level. The best part about these greenhouse heater is that they do not produce any fumes so there will be no need for installing a ventilation system when these heaters are in use.

Paraffin heaters. This kind of heaters is the most basic among the three. Paraffin heaters need constant refilling and wick-trimming. They also need fuel to run, thus, fumes are again discharged into the greenhouse and would need ventilation. However, paraffin heaters can reduce the risk of frost damage and act as emergency standby.

Heater Mounting

Hanging - This type of heater is mounted directly onto the ceiling or it can also be hung from it. The main advantage of using it is due to the fact that it will take up no floor space. The correct level for it to be hung at is just high enough to make sure there is no obstruction.

Wall - This type of heaters is mounted directly to the wall and vent towards the outside of the greenhouse. No floor space is required but the area in front of them should be clear.

Floor - This kind of heater is not mounted as they will have their own stand and are able to be placed anywhere on the floor in the greenhouse. That is the main disadvantage of type of heater and it will take up a lot of space

Heater Combustion

Open - This kind of heater uses air inside the greenhouse for combustion. As long as the air does not have contaminants in it, this will work just fine. Flammable liquids should not be placed near an open combustion heater, though, because its burner is not sealed.

Separated - A gas greenhouse heater will use this kind of combustion method. Where it will use the air from outside the greenhouse for combustion. It burner will also have been sealed to trap all of the air from the outside of the greenhouse. The exhaust pipe will then be run to the outside of the greenhouse structure

Sealed - This kind is a lot similar to the separated combustion type. The burner is completely sealed inside and there is no access to air inside the building. Sealed combustion heaters use direct vent both for exhaust and intake.

Heater Vents

Unvented - Being unvented heaters, combustion-produced gases are directly released to the heated area. Unvented heaters are only for temporary use because of the sensitivity of some plants.

Gravity - The exhaust fumes from this kind of heater will rise through the pipe and then will be released outside. That is the reason why the vents should always be vertical. The air that is replaced must be placed by the outside air.

Power - These power vented heaters have a blower that pushes air through the pipe and outside the structure. The vents may be arranged vertically or horizontally, and the vent pipes are smaller making it more efficient.

Direct - This kind of venting is special to sealed combustion types. It has only one vent pipe with both the inlet and exhaust; one pipe is inside the other. The amount of air that leaves the pipe is the same amount that it pulls as intake. There is no additional air outside needed to replace the expelled air.

One more thing that you must take into consideration is the greenhouse heaters output range or it can also be known as the measure of the heat output. Make sure that you consult with the nearby greenhouse store and check to see what range of output you will require.

This will be determined on the area your greenhouse will be in and a few other factors. There are also a few sites on the web that will be able to do this calculation for you.

There are a wide range of greenhouse heaters around which can often make it hard to choose one. Before you decide to make a purchase of a heater make sure to take into account your current greenhouse structure and its needs.

There are many greenhouse experts around who would be more than happy to consult with you and give advice on the greenhouse heater that would best suit your needs.

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Discover all the important aspects to greenhouses that will ensure you grow beautiful flowers all year round. Visit http://www.greenhousegrowingtips.com. To read articles on greenhouses then visit http://www.greenhousegrowingtips.com/greenhousearticles.html

The Ideal Greenhouse Heaters To Choose From

2009-04-27T08:32:00.000-07:00

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Replacing Your Hot Water Heater - No Plumber Required

2009-04-27T08:21:00.001-07:00

If you are replacing the old water heater with a new unit that is similar to the old one, you will not find it very difficult to replace it. Moreover, if you follow the steps below, it will certainly make your task much easier.

- Shut off the water supply

- If you have a gas heater, shut off the gas supply, or if you have an electric heater, turn off the power supply.

- The next step is to drain the water from the tank. If you do not have a floor drain underneath the valve, you can connect a hose to the drain valve, near the base of the tank. Run it to a nearby drain or outdoors, and then open the valve.

- Unscrew the inlet and outlet fittings from the top of the tank, using two wrenches.

- If you have a gas water heater, turn off the gas inlet valve. Disconnect the union or flare fitting between the gas supply pipe and the inlet valve. You can use two wrenches to disconnect the same. You will also find a flue hat at the top of the tank. It expels gases into the flue. Remove this flue hat as well.

- Remove the old water heater.

- Set the new water heater carefully in place so that the burner and controls are accessible. Make sure that there is at least six inches of clearance around its perimeter, and it is away from any flammable materials.

- It is better if you fill the base with pieces of asphalt shingles or plastic wedges.

- Wrap the threads of the heat trap fittings with pipe-wrap tape.

- Connect blue thread of the fittings into the cold water inlet of the water heater, and red into the hot water outlet.

- Be careful while connecting the same. Make sure that the arrows are marked on the fittings point in the water flow direction.

- On the inlet and outlet pipes of water heater install the new flexible connectors.

- Make sure that all connections are complete.

- Open the shutoff wall and fill the tank.

- Open a few hot-water faucets so that the air in the pipes should bleed off.

- Now assemble the gas pipes per the manufacturer's instruction.

- Brush soapy water on all the connections, and carefully watch it should not produce any bubbles. If it does, recheck the connection once again.

Some Other Handy Tips

- Check with your local building department and confirm whether your home is in an earthquake zone. Install straps around the new water heater.

- If the height of the new tank is different from the old one, you will have to use flexible pipe connectors for the water inlet and outlet. This will make them able to bend whenever it is needed to make the hookup.

In case the pipes are not threaded, replace them with threaded nipples. Use an adjustable wrench to adjust the connectors to the nipples.

Hence, if you follow the above steps and the tips, you will find it very simple to replace a water heater.

Source: Free Articles

Owen Walcher is a freelance writer, helping you with your plumbing problems at http://plumbers.besthomeresource.com/ and supporting your need to find a plumber in Alabama here: http://plumbers.besthomeresource.com/AlabamaPlumbing/

Replacing Your Hot Water Heater - No Plumber Required

2009-04-27T08:21:00.000-07:00

Source: Free Articles

Choices abound for Electric Hot Water Heaters

2009-03-28T00:13:00.001-07:00

The purchase of an electric hot water heater is not a small purchase for any homeowner, and trying to find the best electric water heater may make you feel harried and more than a little mentally frazzled. It would be wonderful if there was one best electric water heater for everyone. Then this article would be done and you would be on your way to the appliance store. It used to be that way because the only choices were number of gallons and electric or gas/propane. Since I cannot provide you with the single answer and be done, I’m going to provide you some hints and ideas for your expensive purchase.

Hints and Tips in the Electric Hot Water Heater Hunt

Its not 100 percent true but the longer the warranty on the electric hot water heater means that you are going to get a heavy gauge metal and other higher grade products. So the warranty length should be your first consideration.

How many gallons you need should be your second consideration. If your current water heater that you are going to replace with the electric hot water heater is 40 gallons and you always run out of water, consider the 50 gallons. With a 12 year warranty you are going to be with this appliance for a while, make it work for you.

You next item is the first hour rating, which gives you the information of how much hot water the electric hot water heater is going to deliver for your use if the first hour. This rating is not something most people know to check this item on an electric hot water heater or any other water heater.

If your are going with an electric hot water heater, you might also want to consider electric tankless hot water heater to add additional low cost heating to your system.

Last you need to verify that your new electric hot water heater has a high energy rating. Electric hot water heaters have some of the highest ratings. There is another reason to get this information, other than energy savings for you. Often, utility companies provide rebates for purchases of replacement appliances with energy ratings above a certain amount. Every energy company in every area can, and probably do, have different numbers which they have chosen. So when you have the information on the energy ratings of the models you would prefer, call the utility company and see which one will provide you the rebate.

Choices abound for Electric Hot Water Heaters

2009-03-28T00:13:00.000-07:00

Electric Water Heater Choices

2009-03-28T00:12:00.003-07:00

It used to be that when you had to replace a water heater, pretty much your only choice was whether it was an electric hot water heater or a gas/propane hot water heater. There are many more choices now and some interesting variations. We will discuss only the electric hot water heater and the electric tankless water heater. The most interesting variation is the electric tankless water heater, which is not really new, but is now much more of a real choice. When then electric tankless water heater systems first became available they had problems with waterflow and getting water to the necessary temperature. These problems have been solved, but this is still one warning, a tankless water heating system still does not have the full waterflow of a regular water heater system.

Since you have chosen to go with an electric water heating system, perhaps you thought you were finished with your decisions. Unfortunately or fortunately, depending how you look at it, there are some more choices to make

Factors in Electric Hot Water Heaters

The first decision is whether to have an electric tankless water heater or an electric hot water heater. If you choose the electric hot water heater you have a single purchase and installation to deal with. The electric tankless water heater requires an installation at each water outlet. While this may be a definite deal breaker for you, the savings in water heating bills over time can often overcome and far outstrip the savings of the installation of a single electric hot water heater. Safety is also a consideration was a hot water heater can be a fire source.

In fact, the choice to go with a tankless water heating system is one you can make over time. You can add an electric tankless water heater to begin the savings today. Add one to the guest bathroom, a pool, a dishwasher or other water outlets. This can begin to reduce your heating costs.

The second choice is which electric hot water heater to choose, if you decide to stay with a tank system. There are numerous new choices, such as: higher gallon capacity, stirrers, drainage valves, insulation Rvalue and an insulation jacket. People often complain that they run out of hot water, which could mean your system is no longer heating efficiently or that you really do lack gallon capacity necessary for your home. This brings into play the gallon capacity and the stirrers. The new systems have stirrers to force the water to completely circulate and stop silt buil-up on the bottom of the tank. Since the heating elements are on the bottom of the electric hot water heater tank you get reduced heat in the water and damage to the heating element due to the build-up. The electric tankless water heater does not have this issue, because there is no tank.

Last in R value and an insulation jacket. The Rvalue of a electric hot water heater is the insulation value around the core water tank and the outside of the water heater. How much of the heat from the water you heated stays in the water and how much escapes. Rvalues go from six to twenty-four, the higher number means more heat is held into the tank.

Electric Water Heater Choices

2009-03-28T00:12:00.001-07:00

Solar Hot Water Heater Installation - Corbett Kroehler

2009-03-14T07:42:00.001-07:00

Solar Hot Water Heater Installation visit http://www.Keyboard-Culture-Global-Wa... for more from Global Warming Expert Corbett Kroehler and other topics, solutions and experts at http://www.keyboard-culture.com.

Keyboard Culture is a blog community of enlightened leaders helping people make decisions, solve problems, create and live from Love and Light in the highest good for all.
My wife Catrin and I love the solar hot water heater we installed in February of 2007. It has given us reliable service and very hot water.
I've told growing numbers of people about the virtues of using solar energy to heat hot water as the easiest way of reducing our need for fossil fuels.
The thought struck me that it would help for people to see how painless the installation process was and how little space the solar panel collector consumes on the roof.
The solar hot water heater installation reduced our monthly utility bill by 25%. What kind of investment is a solar hot water heater?
A comparable solar hot water heater system on most any home with decent southern exposure and 2 adults using hot water would cost approximately $5,000.
With tax incentives currently available, our return on investment (ROI) period will be about 7 years but of course, the smiles we derive from knowing that we heat our water without causing air pollution are priceless!
To keep up to date on global warming facts and realities, great links and information on global warming as well as the simple things you can do to help visit my blog at http://www.keyboard-culture-global-wa...
"Who is Corbett Kroehler?"
In 2003 I became a Chairman of Energy Issues for the Sierra Club of Central Florida. I represented the Sierra Club of Central Florida at the Solar World Congress in 2005 and the International Solar Cities Congress. I was elected chairman of the Sierra Club of Central Florida and served in that role throughout 2006.
After much reasoning and strategic analysis, I came to the conclusion that the best hope for halting the advance of rising seas lies in the Congress of the United States. As I continue to work to raise awareness of the threats and opportunities global warming poses to Florida and the entire world, I am also a candidate in Florida's eighth congressional district.
Sustainable Justice For All!
Corbett Kroehler

FUELLESS HEATER NO FUEL NO GAS NO WOOD NO GREEN HOUSE GASES

2009-03-14T07:40:00.001-07:00

Although the device is efficient, in most all water heating applications it is difficult to economically justify a device. The company has moved towards the mixing and reaction chemistry applications and specialized heating applications. The system can heat water, but there are numerous competing technologies that can heat water and make steam that are much less capital intensive and often cheaper to operate, as electricity is an expensive and highly refined fuel when compared to gas, coal or oil. Because of this we ceased marketing home/residential heating systems and generic steam systems. Our core heating applications are now applications where:

A fluid scales rapidly on a heat transfer surface

Safety/operational concerns demand a flameless system for safety
Total automation is needed and not available with conventional technology

Our heating applications are largely niche applications where conventional technology falls short. Examples of heating applications well suited to the device include:

Heating of food products such as cheese, eggs and chocolate
Heating chemical and polymeric streams
Heating industrial brines and heavy salt solutions

Our company continues to strive to bring our customers the best industrial heating, mixing and reactor solutions.

PRODUCT REVIEW

HYDRODYNAMICS.com or http://www.totalsep.com/sprmoreinfo.htm

Cheapest solar water heater

2009-03-14T07:38:00.001-07:00

Making a cup of tea with the solar power. Just a 600cc Coke bottle inside 1500cc Coke PET bottle.

Homemade Solar Hot Water Heater

2009-03-14T07:36:00.001-07:00

A solar thermal water heater made from recycled parts

Tankless Water Heater Buying Guide by PlumberSurplus.com

2009-03-14T07:32:00.001-07:00

PlumberSurplus.com brings you a video buying guide on Tankless Water Heaters, their variations, uses, and the selection process. Whether its a Electric Tankless Water Heater, Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater, Propane Tankless Water Heater or Tankless Water Heater Accessories our Tankless Water Heater Video Buying Guide helps people break down the complexities.