Which is more effecient and more successful? A Tank-less Waterheater of a solar-powered waterheater?

Question

I'm trying to be more energy-efficient in My home, (at least as the water heater goes. And I'm also trying to figure out which water heater system is the best "green" way to go, the tankless or the solar powered water heater? Anybody know about either one or both? Thanks

Answer 1

depending on where you live, most water enters your home between 68-72 degrees. Water heater will take it up to about 130. There is one concern with tankless...most of them heat the water to above the needed temp and then blend cold water back into it. This way it can quickly adjust itself for varying demands.

Depending on the size of your home, frequency of use, number of points of use, the tankless could hurt your bottom line...especially after dropping 1000 dollars to purchase it.

solar does not always cost so much. In fact, you can often find a used system in some classifieds.

Another option might be to add  additional insulation around the existing heater and pre heat the water using solar located tubing. Some people use a simple system of coiling tubing on the roof with a diversion valve that can bypass the roof coil during winter months. The length of the coil will depend on the habits of your home.

Most of your heaters cycling is from use at the kitchen and bathroom sink....one gallon of hot leaves the sink...one gallon of cold enters the heater and may kick it on...pre heated water will reduce the frequency and length of heating cycles.

If you don't have kids and are gone from home for many hours at a time or days..tankless will eventually save you money.

Answer 2

buy a 2 panel solar thermal system, place a heating element in your duct to pre heat your air, and hook it to your tankless hot water unit to preheat that.  the tankless will draw the already hot water, so it does little work, and as used as a backup, your much more efficient at night, if you run out of hotwater in the solar heat exchanger.  look at $11,000 and the best incentives will result in a out of pocket total of around $6,000.

Answer 3

My folks have a tankless water heater, and they love it.  It is electric, and doesn't use any power until the hot water faucet is turned on.  Then, it only runs to heat water going through the pipe.  As soon as you turn off the faucet, you turn off the heater.  It's instant heat, and unlimited heat.  Here is the website that they bought from.  Others have used it and love it as well.  Very efficient to use, and not much money to set up.  Solar water heaters would work great, but they are expensive to set up.  It takes a long time to make your money back with those.

Answer 4

Solar water heaters are the most efficient. They do not consume any electricity if you have proper installation and a solar powered water motor to pump water into overhead tank.

Go for Solar if you really want to save energy.