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The Mechanicals
Water Heaters & Boilers

Water heating can account for 14% - 25% of the energy consumed in the home. It is possible to reduce monthly water heating bills by selecting the appropriate water heater for home or pool, and by using energy-efficient water heating strategies.

The fuel type or energy source you use for water heating will not only affect the water heater's annual operation costs but also its size and energy efficiency.

• Electricity
  Widely available in the United States to fuel conventional storage, demand (tankless or instantaneous), and heat pump water heaters. It also can be used with combination water and space heating systems, which include tankless coil and indirect water heaters.
  
  
• Fuel Oil
  Available in some areas of the United States to fuel conventional storage water heaters, and indirect combination water and space heating systems.
  
  
• Geothermal Energy
  Available throughout the United States to those who will have or already have a geothermal heat pump system installed in their homes for space heating and cooling.
  
  
• Natural Gas
  Available in many areas of the United States to fuel conventional storage and demand (tankless or instantaneous) water heaters, as well as combination water and space heating systems, which include tankless coil and indirect water heaters.
  
  
• Propane
  Available in many areas of the United States to fuel conventional storage and demand (tankless or instantaneous) water heaters, as well as indirect combination water and space heating systems.
  
  
• Solar Energy
  Available mostly in the Southwest United States (wherever sunshine is available year-round). Use the sun's heat to provide hot water.
  
  

• Conventional Storage Tank
  Provides a reservoir (storage tank) for hot water
  Use: - Entire Households
  - Supplemental units for high demand
  showers and other fixtures
  Size: 30 - 120 gallons residential use
  Fuel: Natural Gas, Propane (LP),
  Electric, Oil, Solar
  
  
• On Demand (tankless or instantaneous)
  Heats water directly without the use of a storage tank
  Use: - Vacation homes, additions,
  renovations, or when additional hot
  water is needed in the home.
  - Entire households (warmer climates)
  Size: n/a
  Fuel: Natural Gas, Propane, Electric
  
  
• Heat pump
  Moves heat from one place to another instead of generating heat directly for providing hot water.
  Used as stand-alone water heating system, or as combination water heating/space heating & cooiling.
  Fuel: Electric, Geothermal
  
  
• Tankless coil and indirect
  Integrated or combination water and space heating system.
  Uses a heating coil or heat exchanger installed in a main furnace or boiler.
  
  
  

• Physical Hazards in the Home
  
  
• Hot Water Heaters & Scalding
  
  
  
• Whole-House Recirculating Pumps
  The only true instant hot water source
  
  
• Energy calculators - U.S. Department of Energy
  calculators and tools to help evaluate energy use and whether energy efficient products or renewable energy are right for you.
  
  
• Water Heater Design Changes
  Compliance Implementation on residential Gas-fired, Power-Vented, Flammable Vapor Ignition Resistant (FVIR) water heaters.
  
  
• Hot Water Dispensers
  Miniature electric water heaters that serve only one faucet.
  
  

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