You probably know that heating and cooling is one of the most significant energy expenditures for your home, but most people don’t realize that their water heater also uses a lot of energy. If you have not yet invested in an energy-efficient water heater, it may be time to consider an equipment upgrade.

Like any other home appliance, you have a lot of choices when it comes to heating your home’s water. To explore all of your options, ask your contractor the following questions:

1. What type of water heater should I buy?  With new technologies, you now have more choices than ever. Conventional hot water storage tanks are still available, but there are even more efficient options such as demand (tankless), heat pumps, solar and tankless coils. The type that you choose depends on how much hot water your family uses, how you use it and your usual daily schedule.
2. What size do I need for my home?  If you have a water heater with a tank, larger is not always better. The larger the tank, the more energy is used to keep the water hot. Smaller systems may actually meet all of your hot water needs and cost you less per month. Tankless systems work by heating the water when it is needed. In some families, two or more tankless systems may be needed to meet the simultaneous demand for hot water in different areas of your home.
3. How much will my monthly costs change?  Based on your typical monthly usage, your contractor can help you calculate the estimated monthly savings for different types of water heaters.  
4. What other steps can I take to save energy?  Reducing usage, lowering the temperature, insulating the tank, installing a timer and insulating pipes are all ways to help water heating keep costs low.

Valley Heating, Cooling and Electrical is your heating and cooling contractor for the South Bay, peninsula and Santa Cruz area. We can help you find the best solution for your home. Visit our website for in-depth information on most HVAC topics, or just give us a call at 408-294-6290.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Valley Heating, Cooling & Electrical services the South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz areas in California. To get started, check out our website or see our current promotions.