Water heater questions

[tkappeler]

When we built our home, I fretted about water heating options. We considered tankless but dismissed that for many reasons (cold water slugs, no PVC venting options, low flow based on temp rise in winter, etc). We considered high efficiency propane but the venting options were limited as we would have to route the vents 50' or so to meet codes for window clearances. We were also unsure of the propane use.

In the end, we went with electric due to time considerations ease of installation. I know. Worst possible energy efficiency. We have an 80 gallon and my thinking was that if we use 30 for a bath, then the resulting required temp rise would be far less than using 30 in a conventional 40 gallon. Was my thinking off?

To compound things, we have no historical experience as it is our first year. With energy prices (electric and propane) spiking all winter, we do not know how much of our electric bill is solely due to the water heater and how much is related to spiking energy prices. Our only other major electric use in winter is the high efficiency, 2 stage air handler on the furnace.

I am thinking that we can better check how much is related to the heater and how much is related to the water heater in a month or so when the heat use drops way off but A/C not yet on.

In the meantime, I am reconsidering the water heater decision. Stay with electric or switch to high efficiency direct vent propane with 50' vent run, especially with how propane drastically spiked this winter.

Any empirical data for comparisons would be great too.

 

[zzvyb6]

I'd add a high efficiency direct vent water heater (like the one I already have) but keep the electric with solar or windmill driven 12 v elements.

 

[murphy1244]

80gal is usually for two bathrooms.

 

[dave1949]

Tom, the only empirical data I have is that we use ~115 kWh per month for our 50 gal. electric water heater. That is how much our monthly electric usage increased when we switched from propane. Two retired people don't use as much hot water as two working people with family. With the super insulated modern water heaters, I think the 80 gal. capacity is costing you something, but not as much as it would have in the past. The new heaters just don't cycle very much when not in use.

In 2013, 88% of our total electric usage was provided by our grid-tied solar electric system. I replaced propane with sunshine--at some upfront cost to be sure.

The old water heater was indirect-fired, a dedicated zone on the propane boiler. That consumed ~245 gal. of propane per year for the same hot water load.

 

[doxford jim]

Not quite what you are asking, but this meter is a handy item for checking all sorts of electrical loads. I have one installed and was shocked at the electrical load of different household equipment. Electric water heaters and electric clothes driers are the two main energy culprits. We have a geothermal heating/cooling system which uses a lot, but we don't have any other bills.
Here is a link to the meter I am using if you are really interested. It sure helps you monitor what you are using.

Welcome To MTP Instruments

Hope it is some use to you.

 

[DoubleL]

GE GeoSpring 50 Gal. 10-Year Hybrid-Electric Heat Pump Water Heater

Got one of these when they first came out and it's worked flawlessly. It has a 10 year warranty.

Sears.com

 

[dave1949]

GE GeoSpring 50 Gal. 10-Year Hybrid-Electric Heat Pump Water Heater

Got one of these when they first came out and it's worked flawlessly. It has a 10 year warranty.

Sears.com

I've only read about those. Do you notice the heat removed from the room/area that the heat pump takes for heating the water?

I'm a little conflicted on the concept. The heat it captures cost something to produce. Maybe I don't understand it.

 

[Rustyiron]

GE GeoSpring 50 Gal. 10-Year Hybrid-Electric Heat Pump Water Heater

Got one of these when they first came out and it's worked flawlessly. It has a 10 year warranty.

Sears.com

I was hoping that someone would reply that had one of these new heat pump HWH. Any more out there? I hear that a nice "by product" of these units is they also dehumidify pretty well also, handy in the summer.

 

[JD 4520]

Have you ever considered using a wood boiler to heat your water and supply heat to your house through your furnace? There are several out there and after spending considerable time in tease arch, I have gone with the Frontier model by Greenwood USA. Www.greenwoodusa.com. Mine is in my garage fairly close to my furnace and hot water tank supplying heat to both. If you don't have access to wood then it isn't a solution but if you do it is super efficient.

 

[Looking4new]

Thanks for the link d j.