DEP Invoice or Financial Record, September 30, 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Why take a cold shower? Get a larger water heater By JAMES DULLEY

Q. Out old electric water heater does not leak yet, but we run out of hot water for morning showers. Would a new water heater help and does it make eco­ nomic sense to get a new one before the old one leaks? A. It is often wise to replace an old (at least 10- years old) water heater with a new super-efficient model. With new designs and better tank insulation, installing a slightly larger model to satisfy all your morning hot water needs will still cut your utility bills. Older electric water heaters cost more to oper­ I ate than most people realize. For a typical family of four, replacing an old model at a 0.80 EF (energy fac­ u tor) with a new one at a 0.94 EF, saves about $100 per year. During its life,/this compounds to more than $l,000.Some of the most efficient models also use a “never-leak” design with lifetime warranties. These models have a spherical top, in­ stead of the typical flat top, to provide extra-thick in­ sulation where the water is the hottest. Never-leak water heaters use all plastic and com­ posite materials so there is no steel to rust near the water. The inner tank, made of tough, stable polybu­ tylene, is wrapped with multiple layers of wound fi­ berglass for strength. This iimer assembly is then encapsulated in thick rigid foam insulation. The exterior shell is made of tough polyethylene plastic that resists dents and scratches. No anode rod is needed, so it does not create a Water odor problem. Some water heaters now include furnace-type set­ back clock thermostats that can use up to 15 percent less electricity. Others have new efficient electronic controls with four settings: normal, scald-resistant, energy-saver, and vacation/cabin. The normal set­ ting allows for any water temperature. Toprotect children and the elderly, the scald-resis­ tant setting automatically adjusts the temperature. The energy-saver settmg monitors your hot water usage patterns and modifies the heating cycles for

It is wise to replace an old water heater with a new super­ efficient model.

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