Instant Hot Water and Energy Savings
Instant Hot Water And Saving Energy Hot Water Recirculating Pump on Today's Power Trip It's nice to know you're saving energy and furthering energy conservation when you do things like add insulation to your attic, air seal heating ducts and plug off the fireplace chimney that you haven't used in four years anyway.
These things do indeed save energy and lower your power bill, but you really can't see them and measure their benefits in comfort and coziness on a daily bases.
An attic full of fresh white blown fiberglass is actually kind of attractive.
Similar to a lawn full of fresh snow.
New fluffy white fiberglass just looks cozy and warm ( unlike the lawn ), it looks like the right stuff, in the right place, and it's enough to make you feel proud and secure for having it done.
It would be nice to set up a remote video camera in your attic, so you could make yourself feel good by viewing the fluffy stuff on a daily bases.
After all, it's not practical to get out a ladder, remove the attic access cover and climb into your attic before going to work everyday.
But, what if there was an energy saving appliance you could install at your home that was fairly inexpensive and you could bask in the warm and cozy everyday providing proof of how smart you were for providing such an effective upgrade for yourself and your home.
And the best part, you don't have to climb a ladder to partake of the proof that it's there.
As I visited this triple wide 2001 manufactured home, I began to think about where the energy savings were at.
What could be done to this home to save energy?
She said, "I turn on the shower, brush my teeth at the sink, undress, and then stand by the shower until the water gets warm.
" I'm think to myself - it either takes an awful long time for the hot water to reach the bedroom or this old gal needs to brush her teeth longer.
The hot water recirculating pump.
Seen mostly in larger, two story homes, the hot water recirculating pump is used to keep hot water flowing through the water lines.
With the water heater in the garage and the master bedroom upstairs on the other end of the home, the pump allows hot water to be readily accessible at any fixture in the home.
Turn on the hot water at the master bedroom sink and the hot water starts flowing immediately.
At first thought, this may seem like an energy waster.
Afterall, you have a water recirculating pump running all the time and hot water circulating throughout pipes where it can cool and need to be reheated.
Some good points.
Here is why the hot water recirculating pump can save you energy and make you smile in more ways than one.
Saving water.
You save perhaps hundreds of gallons of water a year because you no longer run water down the drain waiting for the hot water to arrive.
A study done by a company that makes pumps suggests that 12,000 gallons are saved per year.
Saving cold medication.
You have fewer colds since you no longer stand naked in a cool bathroom waiting to step into a warm shower.
( I kind of made this one up, no scientific evidence here ) Saving electricity ( or natural gas ).
Every time you run water out of a hot water faucet or valve, cold water refills the hot water tank causing the water tank to fire up and heat the cold water.
In most homes, the water heater is the number two user of energy right behind the furnace.
How to install a recirculating pump.
I will be honest with you, this is a job for a plumber.
You can find recirculating pump kits with instructions for do-it-yourself installations, so, if your up to it, give it your best shot.
This will give you an idea of estimated cost.
Be sure to speak to more than one plumber so you can compare both work proposals and cost.
No more waiting for the shower and no more waiting for warm water at the sink.
It's a double happy, warm water and energy savings.
This is energy savings that you get to enjoy and witness everyday, warm and cozy, not like snow in the yard.
Thanks for stopping by, come back soon, but I won't leave the light on for you...
These things do indeed save energy and lower your power bill, but you really can't see them and measure their benefits in comfort and coziness on a daily bases.
An attic full of fresh white blown fiberglass is actually kind of attractive.
Similar to a lawn full of fresh snow.
New fluffy white fiberglass just looks cozy and warm ( unlike the lawn ), it looks like the right stuff, in the right place, and it's enough to make you feel proud and secure for having it done.
It would be nice to set up a remote video camera in your attic, so you could make yourself feel good by viewing the fluffy stuff on a daily bases.
After all, it's not practical to get out a ladder, remove the attic access cover and climb into your attic before going to work everyday.
But, what if there was an energy saving appliance you could install at your home that was fairly inexpensive and you could bask in the warm and cozy everyday providing proof of how smart you were for providing such an effective upgrade for yourself and your home.
And the best part, you don't have to climb a ladder to partake of the proof that it's there.
As I visited this triple wide 2001 manufactured home, I began to think about where the energy savings were at.
What could be done to this home to save energy?
- Test and seal the heating ducts.
In any home, sealing the heating ducts is a good way to save a lot of energy.
In this home, the heating ducts tested tight and it would be very difficult to seal them up anymore. - Heating system upgrade.
Home has an electric furnace with a three year old, 14 Seer heat pump and a programmable thermostat. - Appliance upgrade.
Energy Star, front loading washing machine in the utility room and an Energy star,side by side refrigerator in the kitchen. - Whole house fan turned off.
Most manufactured homes have a whole house ceiling fan mounted in a hallway somewhere that runs all the time.
This is not necessary.
If your home feels a little stuffy from time to time, open a window. - Windows and doors are energy efficient.
Home has double pane vinyl windows and metal insulated exterior doors.
Not much energy savings available here.
She said, "I turn on the shower, brush my teeth at the sink, undress, and then stand by the shower until the water gets warm.
" I'm think to myself - it either takes an awful long time for the hot water to reach the bedroom or this old gal needs to brush her teeth longer.
The hot water recirculating pump.
Seen mostly in larger, two story homes, the hot water recirculating pump is used to keep hot water flowing through the water lines.
With the water heater in the garage and the master bedroom upstairs on the other end of the home, the pump allows hot water to be readily accessible at any fixture in the home.
Turn on the hot water at the master bedroom sink and the hot water starts flowing immediately.
At first thought, this may seem like an energy waster.
Afterall, you have a water recirculating pump running all the time and hot water circulating throughout pipes where it can cool and need to be reheated.
Some good points.
Here is why the hot water recirculating pump can save you energy and make you smile in more ways than one.
Saving water.
You save perhaps hundreds of gallons of water a year because you no longer run water down the drain waiting for the hot water to arrive.
A study done by a company that makes pumps suggests that 12,000 gallons are saved per year.
Saving cold medication.
You have fewer colds since you no longer stand naked in a cool bathroom waiting to step into a warm shower.
( I kind of made this one up, no scientific evidence here ) Saving electricity ( or natural gas ).
Every time you run water out of a hot water faucet or valve, cold water refills the hot water tank causing the water tank to fire up and heat the cold water.
In most homes, the water heater is the number two user of energy right behind the furnace.
How to install a recirculating pump.
I will be honest with you, this is a job for a plumber.
You can find recirculating pump kits with instructions for do-it-yourself installations, so, if your up to it, give it your best shot.
- The pump has to be plumbed into the system correctly, usually near the water tank.
- The pump also needs to be sized right.
A pump that is too small will not provide the service and a pump that is too big will waste the energy your trying to save. - The plumbing at the far end of the home needs to be looped and connected correctly to get the efficient supply of hot water.
Done wrong and you could be flushing the toilet with hot water - now that would be energy efficient! - The system can include a timer that stops the pump during times you're not home.
This will give you an idea of estimated cost.
Be sure to speak to more than one plumber so you can compare both work proposals and cost.
- Recirculating pump kit - includes temperature sensor and cross over valve - $180.
00.
Pump is about 1/25 horsepower rated at.
75 amps.
Uses less power than a 25 watt light bulb. - Plumber - 3 hours at $135 per hour - $405
- A few pieces of pipe and some connectors - $35
- Possible Electrician to provide 115 volts to the pump - $240
No more waiting for the shower and no more waiting for warm water at the sink.
It's a double happy, warm water and energy savings.
This is energy savings that you get to enjoy and witness everyday, warm and cozy, not like snow in the yard.
Thanks for stopping by, come back soon, but I won't leave the light on for you...
