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<br />.-.... - ,. <br />. <br /> <br />,r <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />such a system can be combined with a solar water heating system that will meet a household's <br />hot water needs when the woodstove isn't in operation. <br /> <br />Wood water heating systems operate by circulating water through a heat exchanger located in or <br />next to the firebox of the woodstove. From there, the water flows through the system of pipes <br />and valves to a storage tank where it remains until needed for household use. <br /> <br />Both thermosiphon and pumped systems can be used for heating water with wood. Unlike solar <br />water heating systems, wood water heating systems do not lend themselves readily to homeowner <br />installation. Safety precautions are of paramount importance since errors in design or <br />construction can literally have explosive consequences. To ensure a safe system, it is highly <br />recommended that you seek the advice of an experienced boilermaker and plumber before. <br />proceeding with a do-it-yourself installation. <br /> <br />. Heat Pump Water Heaters <br /> <br />The heat pump water heater uses electricity in a much more efficient manner than does a <br />conventional electric water heater. Unlike the conventional water heater that produces heat <br />through electrical resistance, the heat pump uses electricity to absorb atmospheric heat that <br />already exists and then trar.sfers that heat to the water in your storage tank. <br /> <br />The cost of a heat pump water heater uninstalled ranges from about $800 to $1,000. The <br />expected savings from such an expenditure will be roughly between 40 to 50 percent of your <br />current electric water heating costs. <br /> <br />. Demand Water Heaters <br /> <br />Demand water heaters, sometimes called tank less or point-of-use heaters, are mounted next to <br />each faucet or appliance that uses hot water and are activated only when the hot water is turned <br />on. As a result, there are no storage losses since there is no need to maintain 50 to 80 gallons of <br />hot water 24 hours a day. In addition, heat loss through pipes is also eliminated. <br /> <br />Both gas-fired and electric demand water heaters are available. Prices range from about $200 <br />for a small unit (38,000 Btu/hour) suitable for use in faucets to $700 for larger units (89,000 <br />Btu/hour) for use with showers. Demand water heaters can be extremely appropriate for new <br />construction and can also be added to an existing house. A demand water heater can reduce <br />energy use by 40 to 60 percent. <br /> <br />. Buying a New Water Heater <br /> <br />If you plan to buy a new water heater, the most important things to look for are thick tank <br />insulation and high heating efficiency. Where more older heaters have 1 to It inches of <br />insulation, energy efficient heaters have 2! to 3 inches of insulation usually rated at around R- <br />20. Thicker insulation means a higher initial investment, but over the life of the unit it will save <br />you money through reduced standby heat losses. High efficiency natural gas heaters have special <br />flue baffles to slow the flow of hot gases, and pilot lights that have been designed to u~e less <br />energy. <br /> <br />When considering size, you will save energy and money if you buy the smallest size you can. Not <br />only will a 40 gallon tank cost consideraly less to purchase, but it will be much cheaper to <br />operate than an 80 gallon tank. If you don't shower, wash dishes, and wash clothes all at the <br />same time, you can get by with a smaller tank and not run out of hot water. <br /> <br />.~... ..... ~._- -. ..~._-- .- --- ~ <br /> <br />-.. <br /> <br />- <br /> <br />7 <br />