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Jun

17

Save Energy and Fuel: Begin in your Home

Posted By: Freddy on June 17, 2009 at 12:19 am

Energy is not something that is cheap like it was in years past. In fact, energy is very expensive, whether it’s in the form or fuel for our home or fuel in our gas tank.

Everywhere we go we’re hearing about ways to become more energy efficient so we can be saving money on fuel prices. The high cost of fuel for our homes and cars is almost driving some to bankruptcy.

Although there is no way to totally eliminate most of these expenses, saving money on fuel prices, which are at an all time high now, is possible in our home and car.

Some items in our home that may use some type of fuel are our furnace, cook stove, washing machine and hot water heater. Next to our furnace, the appliance that consumes the most fuel and energy usage is the hot water heater. The hot water heater is used for washing dishes, taking showers and doing laundry. If you are part of a large family, specially with growing children, you know the hot showers and dirty laundry seem to go on with no end.

Attempting a plan where saving money on fuel prices is a possibility is the only choice for many families.

Your hot water heater may be the first place to start this plan. If you’re purchasing a hot water heater, don’t grab the first hot water heater you see just because it’s the cheapest. Although most new hot water heaters are energy efficient and will help with saving money on fuel prices, some are more efficient than others.

Don’t put yourself in a position where you’re paying hundreds of dollars more each year than you need to be paying just because your hot water heater is inefficient. If you’re really serious about saving money on fuel prices, make sure you buy an efficient hot water heater.

Here are some tips on the most important things to look for when buying a hot water heater:

  • Energy efficient hot water heaters come in many different sizes so make sure you buy the size you need to meet the needs of your family. It’s not unusual for a family of five to use 100 gallons of hot water daily.
  • Make sure the hot water heater you buy has a low radiant heat loss rating. A rating of 15 or less is good. The radiant heat passes from the hot water heater to the environment outside of the heater instead of going back in the water.
  • Make sure your new hot water heater has a low cycling loss, which is the amount of heat that is lost as it goes throughout your home. The lower the number the better its efficiency.
  • Consider buying a tankless heater. Although it is a lot more expensive to buy and install, it can be up to 30 percent cheaper to run. The money you save will add up.
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