Heating WaterHeating water is a function that takes place in our homes every day. Hot water is one of the conveniences we basically take for granted in our homes. We use it for washing ourselves, our dishes and clothes etc. Most homes use a good deal of it. It makes up a significant part of our energy consumption. Fortunately we have come a long way from the time when we put a pot of water over a fire or stove to heat. However, it is now so convenient that we rarely think about how much we waste. Many of us take longer showers than necessary and often leave the hot water running into a sink needlessly. Insulating our hot water pipes can reduce the heat loss, allowing warm water to arrive at the faucet sooner. Probably the most common North American hot water heating system is 40 or 60 gallon tank heated with electricity, oil, propane, or natural gas. These tanks by their nature are quite inefficient. Even if insulated, they continually radiate the heat outwards. When water is being used, the cold water entering the tank cools off some of the water already in the tank. There are a number of newer innovations. The tankless water heater is gaining more acceptance in North America. The water is heated on demand. This can reduce the cost of heating water no matter the fuel being used. There are several types of solar heat collectors used for heating water. Some systems preheat the water before it gets to the main heating system. This facilitates lower energy bills but the water will still be hot even if the sun does not shine. Geothermal is gaining popularity in North America. These systems can be designed to totally meet the home’s hot water needs and heat the home as well. Not to mention cool the home during the hot summer months. Another product captures the heat from the waste water before it leaves the home. Almost certainly there will be other energy saving developments as existing energy sources become more expensive.
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