How to Buy an Energy-Efficient Water Heater

There are many ways you can reduce your environmental footprint, even when it comes to heating the water in your home. Environmentally-friendly water heaters can significantly cut energy use and might even last longer than other models. If you want to reduce your carbon footprint, consider these green water heater options.

Look for the right label. How do you know when a product is energy efficient? Ask the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), of course. The first step when shopping for eco-friendly water heaters is to look for an Energy Star label, placed on water heaters and other products by the DOE and EPA.

Determine your needs and budget. In addition to searching for the Energy Star label, you will also want to consider the size of your home and your budget. While it’s important to find a water heater that is large enough to accommodate your household’s hot water needs, purchasing one that’s too big will end up burning (and wasting) more energy than you need. Many water heater companies can help you estimate what size unit you need for your home or property.
Your budget will determine how green you want to go. For example, solar heaters are the best eco-friendly options on the market, yet they are very expensive.

Research the various green water heater options. The perfect water heater simply doesn’t exist; each type comes with its own pros and cons. A tankless water heater is a good eco-friendly selection. Tankless water heaters cut energy use by 30 percent, according to National Geographic. This is because they only heat water as needed. Another reason these models are healthy for the environment is because they last longer than traditional tank water heaters. This means they are not polluting landfills as often as traditional storage-tank systems.

One of the best types of water heaters for the environment is a solar water heater. This is because they don’t product any greenhouse gas emissions. According to National Geographic, this means you could save about “50 tons of CO2 during the 20-year lifespan of a typical solar water heater.” But as the magazine points out, solar water heaters are very expensive.

Search for rebates: Just about you want to go green doesn’t mean you can’t save money. Even if you purchase an expensive eco-friendly water heater, consider getting a deal by searching for rebates. The government is always rewarding people who purchase green water heater systems.
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This article was submitted by Payless Water Heaters, a leading provider of water heater systems and installation services in California. Visit the website to learn more about their products or like them on facebook.com/Paylesswaterheaters.