Hot water heaters are one of the most common appliances found in every household. In the US, an average household spends about $400-$600 every year on water heating. It is the second largest expense that accounts for 14% to 18% of a household’s utility bill. This suggests that investing in energy efficient hot water heaters is the need of the hour. It will not only help save you some money but also conserve energy.
Here, we have compiled a list of different types of hot water heaters that you should be aware of before buying the one right for you.
Storage water heater
This type of water lasts for 10-15 years. In this, the heater holds a pool of hot water and releases it from the top of the reservoir whenever the hot water tap is turned on. Once the hot water is released, cold water fills the bottom of the reservoir. These are inexpensive and easily available.
Tankless water heater
These heaters provide hot water only when needed and eliminate any standby heat loss. Tank-less water heaters last for around 20 years and are up to 34% more efficient than storage water heaters. Also, Energy Star qualified tank-less water heaters may help you save $100 annually.
Solar water heater
There are several types of solar water heaters but the two most common types are active and passive. Active types have circulating pumps and controls while passive types do not have any. Solar water heaters are 50% more efficient than electric or gas heaters. Although its initial cost may be a little higher than the normal hot water heaters, it makes use of sunshine as fuel which is a free and renewable resource. However, these heaters may require a back up during cloudy days.
Tankless coil heater
This type of a heater does not have a tank and provides hot water on demand. The water gets heated as it flows through a heat exchanger or a heating coil(installed in the furnace) when the hot water faucet is turned on. This usually lasts about 10 years. Tank-less coil heaters are highly efficient during colder months when heating is often a major requirement.
Heat pump heater
This heater does not generate heat directly; instead, it uses electricity to allow heat to move from one point to another like in a refrigerator in reverse. ENERGY STAR qualified heat pump heaters can help save around $300 on your electric bills annually. These heaters can last between 10-15 years. However, there are a few limitations to this type of hot water heaters and you will have to consult a specialist.
Indirect heater
This type of water heater makes use of the furnace or boiler to heat the water which is circulated in the storage tank through a heat exchanger. Indirect heaters last for about 10 years and they also help save energy. Also, when used with a high-efficiency boiler and an insulated tank, Indirect Heaters can be less expensive.
Where can you buy water heaters?
Well, here’s a list of places from where you can buy hot water heaters.
- Water Heaters Direct, Fort Myers, FL
- USA Water Heaters – Installation & Repair, Irvine, CA
- Titan Tankless Water Heaters Distributor, Miami, FL
- Water Heaters Only, Inc., Phoenix, AZ
- Sears Hometown Store, Pennsylvania, KS
- Fast Water Heater Company, Bothell, WA
- Water Heaters Only, Inc., Riverside, CA
- Stiebel Eltron, West Hatfield, MA
- Ace Water Heaters Only, Inc, Wylie, TX
- US Craftmaster Water Heaters, Johnson City, TN
Having a nice warm water bath either at the start of the day or at the end of the day can be a wonderful feeling. To enjoy it, you will need efficient hot water heaters. However, apart from buying a stylish heater, you need to make sure that it is energy efficient and effective in reducing your electricity bills in the long- run. Go online or to any physical store, explore prices, and try to get as many reviews as possible about the selected model before purchasing it.
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The pros and cons of wall beds
Read moreThe Murphy beds or the wall beds have many advantages and disadvantages too. You may find that the wall bed has many shortcomings. One of the disadvantages of these wall beds is that it is challenging to change the mattress of the bed. To find the exact size of the mattress for the bed, one has to order an entirely a new bed. The other shortcoming of these beds is that these beds are not the ideal choice when one is constantly on the move since these beds cannot be moved or shifted to different places. Here are some pros and cons of Murphy beds that will help you if you are planning to buy a bed for your room.
Murphy beds have many advantages mentioned below:
Open spaces
These beds give you more open spaces and that is one of the primary reasons people choose to buy Murphy beds. They are perfect for people who do not have lot of free space in their bedrooms as these beds can make your room completely spacious once the bed is flung back to the wall. You can then use the space for other activities such as exercising, dancing, etc.Lets you make your room multifunctional
Once you pushed the bed back and have the room space freed up, you can use the room for many other activities. As mentioned in the previous point, you can use the room to exercise, dance, practice yoga or just play with the kids or pets (if any).Contemporary and simple designs
You can find Murphy beds having modern and contemporary designs keeping the simplicity that people look for today. You will not be disappointed with the designs available to you by Murphy beds. You can also find designs like library Murphy bed, Bi-fold Murphy bed, and Fill-up Murphy bed.Here are some cons that come along with Murphy beds you should know about:
Comfort
One might have to sacrifice a little on the comfort when it comes to buying wall beds. The biggest reason for this is that these beds make use of wire mesh instead of box springs. In regular or luxurious beds, wire mesh is avoided, and box springs are used to add more comfort. So in comparison to regular beds, wall beds are not very apt for studying or doing desk work.No scope for decoration
There is no scope for decoration on Murphy beds due to lack of headboards, footboards or bed rallies. So, there is no space for decoration left because of lack of adequate accessories. Due to lack of headboards, footboards and bed rallies, there is no scope for decoration. So it could be not an ideal choice for creative people who enjoy decorating their bed almost every week.Tedious task
Putting away these beds or folding them can be a very stressful task if done every day. Since this bed is used to save space and is installed in limited spaces, it becomes essential for people to fold it every morning. This can be a tedious task and can require a little effort and time. Hence, this may not be an ideal choice for younger children or senior citizens who can have the problem of putting it away every day.Lesser customization
There are not much customization options available for Murphy beds. These beds usually come with a simple design with moderate installation options. Therefore, they cannot be customized according to individual preferences. If one needs a little customization, then bed accessories have to be bought to suit the customer’s needs.A little expensive
Murphy beds can prove to be a bit pricey as compared to cabinet beds. They are smaller than the Murphy beds, and they also come with an old fold away foam memory mattress. They are easier to maintain than the wall beds and comes in many shapes, types, and sizes. -
5 lifestyle factors that elevate the risk of gout
Read moreGout is a condition that has affected around 8.3 million Americans and continues to do so till date. It is a form of arthritis, and like every other form of arthritis affects the joints, causing excruciating pain in the process. Gout affects the joints especially in the big toe and causes pain, swelling, and stiffness. An individual with gout can experience sudden gout attacks at any time of the day, and the pain can take days to subside. One can say that with every gout attack you have, the tissues in the region deteriorate owing to the inflammation it is exposed to.
Gout is caused due to an increase in the level of uric acid in the body. The uric acid crystals deposit in the joints, and the process of inflammation sets in causing redness, pain, and stiffness of the joints in the process. One’s age, gender, family history, the medications they consume, and other health problems can also trigger gout. However, apart from these, there are other factors that can trigger gout, and these are mostly self-inflicted.
- Crash diets and fasting
One of the prominent causes of gout is going on crash diets or fasting for long periods. When you go on crash diets to lose weight, you begin to metabolize the body tissues, and this results in an increase in the level of purines, which, in turn, increases the level of uric acid in the body. This adds to other vital reasons to avoid going on crash diets and fasting. - Dehydration
Drinking enough water is quite essential for our health; if you do not drink enough water, you become dehydrated, and this is detrimental to your health on different levels. Dehydration leads to an increase in the blood uric acid concentration and ultimately leads to a gout attack. - Extra weight
We are well aware of the repercussions of being overweight. Another health issue that accompanies obesity is gout. Research indicates that people who are overweight are more prone to develop gout since obesity stimulates the body into producing more uric acid, and blocks uric acid excretion as well. - Food habits
Erroneous eating habits can put us in harm’s way, and this holds true even in case of gout. Bad eating habits can cause gout. Foods such as red meat, liver, sweetbreads, certain seafood, are to be avoided since these have high purine levels and lead to an increased production of uric acid, which, in turn, causes gout. - Alcohol
Alcohol is known to worsen a plethora of health conditions, and that includes gout as well. Alcohol consumption interferes with the kidney function; the kidneys cannot filter uric acid to its optimum level, and this results in the build-up of uric acid.
- Crash diets and fasting