Are propane water heaters effective?

Whether the propane water heaters are effective is very dependent on how one defines efficiency. Efficiency may apply to comfort, easy use or certainty that hot water will always be available. It can also refer to energy costs and environmental friendliness. Water heaters that run on propane are generally relatively effective according to all these criteria, at least in comparison with electric water heaters.

Approximately one fifth of the average annual energy costs in the US is caused by its hot water heater. The price of the shower, bathtub, whirlpool and dishwasher does not come cheaply. With propane, however, they become somewhat cheaper.

Water heaters basically come in two forms. Most heaters are varieties of storage tank. Holds 50 gallons (about 189 liters) or more water and always keep it warm. The second type of heating, which is usually more expensive at the beginning, but a long -term cost -effective, is this water without a tank. These devices may have somewhat lower flow butThey heat and provide water only as needed. In addition, it will do so for approximately a third lower costs. Savings increase even more with water heaters without a tank that use propane. Electricity accounts are sometimes up to 60% lower than electric models.

Environmentally speaking, propane is also a more efficient choice. Since the consumer needs or uses less electricity, power plants that produce electricity are able to reduce their capacity. In the case of coal -fired power plants, this is reflected in less carbon dioxide emissions relaxed into the atmosphere.

With any type of hot water heater, efficiency can be improved by a few simple steps from the consumer. Often, efficiency is not based on heating itself, but about how the owner of the house takes care of and uses. Water heating for a 20 -minute shower requires less energy than heating water for a 30 -minute shower. InsulationThe water heater and hot water pipes will also reduce heat losses.

Another simple step is to reduce the temperature on the water heater. Hot water heaters are usually set to 140 ° F (60 ° C). Lowering this temperature to 120 ° F (about 49 ° C) can cause a surprising amount of savings.