We put some shiny new solar panels on the roof of our Yonkers headquarters to heat water and then stored it in tanks below. The solar heaters shone when the sun did and are good for the environment. But they're expensive to buy and install and payback time can take 20 years.
Tankless water heaters sound good because they heat just the water you need when you need it. But our testers found that they're not an economical or practical choice for most people.
Under the right circumstances, a hybrid water heater (a storage tank with an added pump that extracts heat from the air) can be a good choice and a consumer can realize savings in years rather than decades. But they're tall—about 7 feet—and you'll need ample space to capture enough heat from the air.
We didn't test conventional heaters but if you're considering one we recommend at least a 9-year warranty because those models tend to have thicker insulation and are better at resisting corrosion. For more information, read the full report from the October issue of Consumer Reports.
Kenmore water heater sucks. Do not make my same mistake.
Switching from a propane water heater to a Rheem hybrid water heater is saving me $700 a year. My propane water heater clearly stated on the tank's yellow sticker that it consumes about 300 gallons of propane a year and my own measurements confirmed this. [There isn't much in savings by choosing a different type of propane water heater -- conventional or tankless.]
I expect propane to cost me over $3 a gallon on average in the next few years or $900 a year to heat my water. I expect the hybrid electric water heater will cost me about $200 a year. Please note that I'm reducing my hydrocarbon footprint by 300 gallons a year for a lot less investment than buying a $30,000 plus electric car. For people who have propane water heaters, take advantage of the tax credit on the full cost of conversion and installation which is available in 2010.
I read your article with great interest. However, your report stated that the tankless was not recommended for economical reasons and stated the ones you looked at were $2,000 to $2,400 each. However the ones I have seen are in the hundreds ($500-$700 i.e. the Rheem RTG64XN). Have prices dropped that much since your October report? Does this make the report in need of another review?? Sure would like an answer because I am looking at replacing mine. However the Hybrid's your did recommend were reviewed in the northern hemisphere and I am in the south (gulf coast area) and don't believe that they would be economical over just a "standard" gas tank type water heater. The hybrids only have a 10 year warranty. Any comments??
I am 60 years old and about to build my modest --"bucket list "
final house ! Actually could put out a roll of poly in sun 4 summer-- To cold and rainy in winter --wood stove would work with copper water tubing in it . But getting a bit old and out of great shape ---Thinking of on demand propane water heater [lazey]-- Live in coastal range of north California . Mostly mederation type weather-- almost no snow
Question-- any new great system I should know about ?
Thanks, Ron
I am struck by the potential savings in replacing my electric tank-type water heater with a hybrid electric tank-type heater.
But what isn't listed is the comparison with gas water heaters. Looking over the Energy Guide on Geospring vs. an Energy-Star listed gas heater, it sounds like the Geospring would save us $100 per year compared to the gas. But is that really the case? Does anyone make a gas water heater with heat pump to add efficiency?
In the video review all you say about tankless heaters is "they're not practical or economical for most people." That's it?! What makes them impractical?
What are the facts and figures that lead you to conclude not heating a tank of water 24/7 is uneconomical?
My brother bought and installed a tankless heater from Home Depot last year, a Paloma I believe, and says he'll never go back to a conventional water heater.
By the way, "conventional" is the case in the US; but not in much of the rest of the world. I believe tankless is very much more common in Europe.
"JR"
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