If you’re trying to make your home more ecofriendly, you’ve probably noticed that many of your emissions are produced by your water heater. Conventional heaters keep a tank of water hot all day, burning fossil fuels and producing pollutants in the process. Try replacing your water heater with one of these green alternatives, and enjoy both the benefits of living green and the savings on your electric bill.
Fuel Efficiently with Wood Pellet Water Heaters
Wood is a naturally renewing resource that has been used to provide environmentally friendly heat and energy since the invention of fire. Pellet stoves capitalize on wood’s renewable nature by using compacted wood pellets as a source of fuel. Pellets burn more efficiently than regular wood, and and produce less air pollution.
Pellet stoves use a hopper to store pellets until they are ready to be burnt. These stoves usually need to be refueled once a day, although this amount varies depending on the size of the stove.
Harness the Earth with Geothermal Heating
Geothermal energy radiates from the center of the earth, and can be harnessed as a renewable resource. . Heat pump water heaters use electricity to move this energy from one place to another; since they don’t generate their own heat, they are an extremely environmentally friendly option. Heat pumps can be attached to existing water tanks, or purchased as a standalone unit. If you live near a source of geothermal energy, installing a heat pump can be a great way to take advantage of it.
Heat Instantly with a Gas Hot Water System
Tankless gas hot water systems heat only the water you need to use at any given time. Because you aren’t wasting heat or energy to keep a reserve of warm water, installing one of these systems can save you money and greatly reduce your environmental impact. And, since your warm water isn’t sitting in a tank, it comes out cleaner, fresher, and safer for your family.
Harness the Sun with Solar Heating
Even if the rest of your home doesn’t use solar energy, you can still harness it for your hot water. There are two types of active solar water heaters: direct circulation and indirect circulation. Direct circulation systems collect energy in several places throughout your plumbing design; the water is pumped through these locations to heat up. These systems are best for warm climates, since the water doesn’t have a chance to cool down. Indirect circulation systems transfer the solar energy to the water tank directly, making them less efficient but easier to work into an existing pluming system.
There are many green heating alternatives on the market, which means you can choose the model that works best with your home design. Whether you’d like to switch to a wood pellet stove or heat your water entirely off solar energy, there are plenty of options to help reduce your carbon footprint.
- Lizzie Weakley, the author of this post, is a freelance writer.