Water Heater test

[ceagle]

Currently trying a test for the month to find out the electric costs. Have turned off the electric water heater for the month to do so, (& taking my bird baths elsewhere to do so, not to worry) ;> ... Anyways, with the water heater on (last month) I was seeing about 16 kwh, and with it off so far it's about 5 kwh ... so that thing takes about 1/4 to 1/3 of the monthly power. The refrigerator likely takes most of the rest, since the lights are all CFLs.

So... what to do? I guess consider one or two of those on-demand small water heaters someday I s'pose. And a smaller fridge :>

Comments

[tcreynolds]

Gas is cheap, for now at least. Is solar out of the question?

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

oooo yes! We'll talk.... :D ! ....

[rustyfox.livejournal.com]

Gas has always been cheaper than electricity. Where houses here have stored hot water, the electric heating element is usually only meant as a back-up. If possible, I'd look into installing an on-demand water heater. This idea of stored hot water never made sense to me, unless you have a supply of cheap/free energy, such as solar panels or a solid fuel stove + back boiler (and a ready supply of wood!)

Or unless you have a property where an on-demand boiler couldn't cope with the potential peak load (eg, two bathrooms and the kitchen drawing hot water at once). The only decent solution I know of in that situation (at least over here) would be a sealed (or 'closed vented') stored hot water system. Very expensive, but it'll store gas-heated hot water in a pressurised cylinder and keep it under mains pressure. No need for a header tank, and almost limitless scorching high pressure water anywhere!

I assume that was 16kWh per *day* not per month? I just got my annual energy statement and my electricity usage is just under 10kWh/day - with an on-demand combi-boiler for heating the house and water, a fridge that's probably got a knackered thermostat jammed on cold and a couple of computers.

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

oooo yep, and thanks for the thoughts n comments! Indeed.. not certain the on-demand one could work with our low water pressure.. we're up high at the very end of the street, and get about 32 lbs, whereas I understand the general *minimum* is about 40 ..
& Yesh.. it were 16 kwh per day I meant.. *whew* ... still, taking measures to reduce it.. in fact, I bought a *much* smaller refrigerator today, which is rated to cost about a tenth of the one currently in use. I just don't have the need for allll that chillin' space of a typical giant refrigerator, so I should get by jus' fine widdit ^v^ .
Good on-ya for the 10kwh happenin'! I feel like I'm making headway with these steps I'm taking too, and am loooking forward to the results with the new little fridge :D .. *hugs*

[rustyfox.livejournal.com]

How do you run out of on-demand hot water? Or are the on-demand heaters you guys are talking about somehow profoundly different to the on-demand boilers I know about?

And what are the special requirements? I'm only familiar with UK domestic heating systems, but the requirements have always been 15mm cold water intake, and 22mm natural gas (or LPG) inlet. Those sizes (or their close imperial equivalents) have been standard since forever here. I'm curious as to what might be different about US boilers/heaters and plumbing standards.

[tacet.livejournal.com]

China has a system where you have to request hot water and wait a half hour, then click the heater off. That likely grows bacteria in your tap.
Outside of bacteria, I see why, but I sleep with a CPAP. I NEED electricity at night, and some parts of China they cut off your electricity after a certain hour.
Doesn't matter, it's night, it goes off.
I guess there are CPAP battery packs for camping....

My roommate keeps a lower water heater temp where it will grow a bacteria, but one that poses no threat to human health. All the nasty bugs that would make you sick are killed.

We are gas for heat and water temp.

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

oh yes!... thanks for the reminder that contaminants can sometimes be a consideration too.. that's wild about China! ;P

[tacet.livejournal.com]

I think while there is the "do you keep the car running all night in case you need it?" Argument. But I care more about keeping the water hot enough that it can't grow bacterium that will make me sick.

There may be more efficient heaters, or you can check the insulating blanket/cover to make sure it stays warm and reduce the power to heat it,

I guess you could boil drinking water first....

I turn off electronics not in use, and I can be a nazi with the lights (I actually have photophobia, a nerve sensitivity to light and it will cause a migrane). But if I want to watch something at 3am and I pay the electic bill I outta be allowed to!

[scruff-e-coyote.livejournal.com]

Is your residence or neighborhood not serviced by natural gas (NG)? What about contracting for liquid propane gas (LPG)? Is your community rural or your neighbors spread out where you can be serviced with LPG? As others here have mentioned, gas is a far cheaper source of energy for heating water (as well as for room heating and cooking). And as Calicougar mentioned, there are hot water solar heaters. Hot water solar heaters still require an electric or gas fired backup system for cloudy/cold days or night time if you happen to use up all of the hot water heated by the sun.

Regardless, those on-demand tankless water heaters are THE best way to save on water heating energy costs. I once read years ago: "Would you keep your car running in your garage just in case you wanted to drive it? Then why have a tank water heater storing water hot just in case you want to use it?" You mentioned considering one or two small on-demand water heaters. I'm assuming you mean the "compact point of use electric tankless water heaters" for under a sink or at your shower? If so, just be aware they usually can only provide warm water for washing hands at a sink, or for heating already warm water, or for low-flow sinks/showers. There are, however, 240 volt electric tankless water heaters available. Check them out in person or on-line at any major hardware or home appliance store!

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

Ah yep!... The house was built in the era of "All-Electric", so originally nothing was gassed.. but eventually mum did bring in a line... just for central heating though :p
The line is there to divert if we should wanna work it into the water heating eventually, but just haven't explored it... :9 .. *wingfuzzles yer fur*

[scruff-e-coyote.livejournal.com]

Ah yes, those "Clean, Efficient, All-Electric" houses of the 1960s. Is there one of those "All-Electric" medallions on your door bell button outside the front door?

That's great mother bird had a natural gas line brought up to the house for your house heater. It could also be plumbed up to an oven-stove and clothes dryer someday besides a tank or on-demand tankless water heater!

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

hehheh! You knew about the medallions! :D
As far as I know, we didn't get one of 'em here, but another pal I know does have one at their place!

[jedd-marten.livejournal.com]

If you have peak-rate metering, the tank is still better than on-demand. I switch mine on for just 60-90 min. in the early morning before peak rates cut in and it's good for the whole day.

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

ooo.. thanks for chiming in, martenny!
That's comforting to know that the part-time use of it does actually save moolah!... after its being turned off beyond a certain threshhold, I would think that'd be the case, yepyep! It is, alas, not as easy with the fridge, cuzzat can't be switched on n off willy nilly, lest the perishables might be inclined to perish... ;P
...Thusly, as I noted above, this two-part study into reducing costs has taken me to buying a much teenier T'Chall-fox-size refrigerator today, which is rated at about a tenth of the cost of the current one. *warbles happily*

As for our metering.. it's got peak and off-peak sectors, but is more forgiving in the Winter months since people aren't air-conditioning, they don't charge as much during the 10am-6pm hours if you use more than allocated in the first tier. Though I really try to stay in the first tier all the time if possibubble...