Energy-Efficient Water Heating Systems
Heating water accounts for approximately 18% of a typical household's energy utility consumption, making it the second-largest energy expense in most homes. While reducing water volume is crucial, running your habits through our bath vs shower footprint calculator will show you exactly how water volume drives your monthly utility bill and carbon emissions.
1. Heat Pump Water Heaters (Hybrid Systems)
Heat pump water heaters (HPWH) use electricity to move heat from the surrounding air into the water tank, rather than heating the water directly. Because moving heat requires far less energy than creating it, HPWH systems are up to 3 to 4 times more energy-efficient than standard electric resistance water heaters, saving families hundreds of dollars annually on electricity bills.
2. Tankless (On-Demand) Water Heaters
Standard storage tank water heaters continually heat and reheat water in a large reservoir, even when you aren't using it. This is known as standby heat loss. Tankless water heaters eliminate this waste by heating water instantly as it flows through the unit. This can improve heating efficiency by 24% to 34% compared to conventional storage tank models.
If replacing your water heater isn't an option, you can improve efficiency by wrapping your existing storage tank in a thermal insulation blanket and insulating the first 6 feet of cold and hot water pipes leading out of the unit. This simple step reduces standby heat loss by 25% to 45%.
3. Solar Water Heating
Solar water heating systems use roof-mounted collectors to absorb solar thermal energy and pre-heat incoming municipal water before it enters your home's water heater. Combining solar pre-heating with standard low-flow fixtures, as outlined in our bathroom water conservation tips, will maximize your utility cost reductions.