Home > Erik's Blog > January 14, 2010 - Energy Efficient Water Heating Solutions

January 14, 2010 - Energy Efficient Water Heating Solutions

Imagine a system of having fuel pumped to your car constantly to keep the tank full.  Instead of filling up once a week, it just automatically stays full.  It doesn’t cost you any less, but you only pay for it once a month when you get the bill.  In effect, that’s what your water heater is.  It’s an appliance that is tied in to the fuel pump.  It costs quite a bit, but it’s mixed in with the other fuel consuming items in your home.  When you get the bill, it’s all inclusive so you really don’t know how much fuel each appliance or fixture is using.

If you did have to add the fuel source to your heater, say once a week as in a car, you would find that it would cost the typical four person household about $15.00 per week to fill up the water heater…  It’s a little more noticeable now, isn’t it?

Now imagine buying a car that will basically pay for itself in the first 3.5 years, and then it never has to be refueled again for as long as the car lasts.  Sounds pretty good doesn’t it?  That’s what a solar water heater is.  And it can last for 20-25 years…

We are here in the sunshine state folks; the land of FREE HOT WATER FROM THE SUN.   The Tampa Bay area should be known for this and we are the plumbers that can provide you with this plumbing service.  It’s not very complicated at all.  In fact, it’s pretty simple technology.  This is not solar photovoltaic, its solar thermal.   Even if you did decide at some point to power your home with solar photovoltaic, you would still have a solar thermal hot water heating system.  It would not make sense to power an electric water heater with power generated from solar photovoltaic so buying a Solar Water Heating System now makes all the sense in the world.  Solar photovoltaic is still very expense.  Solar thermal hot water heating systems are nowhere near the cost of a solar photovoltaic power generating system.  With all of the incentives available, now is the time to buy. 

There are many other water heating systems available that will save you money as well, but none of them make as much financial sense as a Solar Domestic Hot Water Heating System.   Consider a Solar Domestic Hot Water Heating System now.  It’s the law!  Well, not really….  But it should be…      

Erik Suojanen

Why Energy Efficient Water Heating Solutions?

Solar 1410 Typical

• 30% Federal Tax Credit
• $500.00 State Rebate
• $450.00 Progress Energy Credit
• Save approximately $720.00 per year with family of four
• 10 Year Limited Lifetime on panel
• 6 Years on tank
• 2 Years on Installation
• Systems known to last 25 years or more
• Saves as much carbon in a year as taking a small car off the road
• Pays for itself in about 3-4 years depending on usage
• Equate to an IRA with a guaranteed 23% ROI based on this scenario
• Reduces your carbon footprint
• Increases the value of the home

Rheem HP-50 Heat Pump Typical

• 30% Federal Tax Credit
• Save approximately $350.00 per year
• 10 year warranty
• 2 years on installation
• Exchanges heat from air to water – produces cool air and dehumidifies in process
• Pays for itself in about 4-6 years depending on usage
• Equate to an IRA with a guaranteed 15% ROI based on this scenario
• Reduces your carbon footprint
• Increases the value of the home

Rheem Marathon Heater Typical

• Save approximately $250.00 per year
• Lifetime warranty – 15 years on ownership transfer
• 2 years on installation
• 5 degree overnight heat loss
• Polybutene tank impervious to rust and corrosion
• Envirofoam insulation helps reduce energy consumption
• No need for sacrificial anode rod
• Pays for itself in 6-7 years depending on usage
• Never have to buy another water heater
• Equate to an IRA with a guaranteed 13% based on this scenario
• Reduces carbon footprint
• Increases the value of the home

Takagi Tankless NG/LP Water Heater w/outside vent kit

• TECO $525 cash back for electric to gas conversion
• $300.00 State Rebate
• 30% Federal Tax Credit up to $1500.00
• Save approximately $355.00 per year
• Parts warranty 5 years/Heat Exchanger 10 years
• 2 years on installation
• Heats only the water you use
• Typical lifespan 12 – 16 years
• No pilot light – electronic ignition
• Uses much less space – mounts on wall
• Equate to an IRA with a guaranteed 21% based on this scenario and the TECO cash back.
• Pays for itself in 2-3 years depending on usage (assuming TECO cash back, Rebate, and credit)
• Reduces carbon footprint
• Increases the value of your home

Airgenerate A7 AirTap Water Heater Heat Pump 

• 30% Federal Tax Credit
• Save approximately $350.00 per year
• 1 year parts and labor.  2nd & 3rd year parts only
• Retro to existing heater
• 1 year on installation
• Exchanges heat from air to water – produces cool air and dehumidifies in process
• Pays for itself in about 2-3 years depending on usage
• Equate to an IRA with a guaranteed 25% ROI based on this scenario
• Reduces your carbon footprint
• Increases the value of the home

Supergreen Technologies Electric Tankless Heater Model THWG 4000

• Save approximately $300.00 per year on average
• 3 Year replacement warranty
• 1 year installation warranty
• Quartz tube coated elements
• Actual health and water conditioning benefits
• Only requires 1-40 amp breaker
• 4 GPM maximum flow rate
• Can be used to supplement storage tank
• Equate to 18% ROI based on this scenario
• Reduces carbon footprint
• Excellent for one person household, 1 bath apartment or condo. 

- Erik the plumber

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The Pampering Plumber
10720 SR 54 Suite 101
Trinity, Florida 34655
727 232 8400