Archive for the ‘Water Heaters’ Category

Is a Standard Storage Tank Water Heater Sometimes a Better Choice?

Friday, April 18th, 2014

If you know about tankless water heaters, then you’ve probably learned about their numerous virtues and why many so many homeowners prefer them. Tankless water heaters never run out of hot water, take up less space in a home, and run much more energy-efficiently than standard storage water heaters because they lose less heat and do not require steady energy to keep water in a tank warm.

However, not everyone has called up their local plumbing company to install a tankless heater. Traditional storage tanks still sit in many homes, and new ones are installed every day. The reason for this is that some homes won’t receive the full benefits of a tankless water heater, and a storage water heater makes better economic sense for them.

Whether a traditional or tankless system will work for your house is something that requires a Southern Vermont plumbing professional to help answer. HB Energy Solutions has kept homeowners in Vermont warm and comfortable for more than 20 years; you can place your trust in us to guide you to your home’s best option for hot water.

Why a storage water heater is sometimes better

Tankless water heaters are more expensive systems to install: anyone considering one for a home needs to balance the upfront costs with the long-term savings. Sometimes, a storage water heater will save more money than a tankless one.

Here’s something to consider: tankless system do not tend to endure as long as storage systems. This means that the amount of money you’ll save from a tankless system depends more on how much hot water your household uses on average rather than how long the system stays around. If you do not use a large amount of hot water, you may not receive significant savings from a tankless system before it needs replacement. Consult with an installer, who can check on your household hot water use to see if a storage water heater may be a superior choice.

Another factor to consider: although tankless water heaters don’t “run out” of hot water, they have trouble keeping up with high volume hot water demands. Proper sizing can help minimize this problem, but larger households might be better served by a high capacity tank water heater.

Professional installation

When factoring the pros and cons of the two systems, they come up about equal: tankless water heaters have high efficiency and unlimited hot water; storage water heaters have convenience and lower installation costs. Your own water use and your budget plans will be the deciding factors, but professional installers will help you feel certain of your choice. And, of course, they’ll install it as well.

Call HB Energy Solutions, your Southern Vermont plumbing experts, to talk about water heater installation today.

Southern Vermont Tank vs. Tankless Water Heater Guide: Which Is Best For You?

Monday, February 18th, 2013

HB Energy Solutions installs tank and tankless water heaters in Southern Vermont and throughout the region. Installing a new water heater is a big investment, and you want to choose the right water heater so that you get the most out of your new investment.

While tankless models do not have standby losses, there are many benefits to installing a new high-efficiency tank water heater. If you are looking to save energy and money on heating the water in your home, there are plenty of Energy Star water heaters that can save energy without having to upgrade to a tankless model. If you aren’t sure what the efficiency ratings mean, call one of our home energy experts to go over the different ratings with you.

If you are considering a tankless water heater, there are a few factors to consider. The type of fuel used to heat your home is one of these factors. Having an existing gas line will reduce the installation costs. In addition, installing a tankless model will depend on where the existing connection is located in your home. If your home is heated with electricity, then you can install an electric tankless water heater in a variety of places in the home, even under the sink models, since there’s no need for ventilation or gas line connection.

The size of your home and your hot water needs are other factors to consider. If you have a smaller home, tankless models may have enough capacity for all the hot water applications in the home because there’s no tank holding the hot water. For larger homes, you may need a larger capacity, which can be obtained with the right sized tank water heater.

If you have questions or would like to speak with one of our Southern Vermont water heater experts, call HB Energy Solutions any time.

Southern Vermont Solar Question: Do Solar Water Heaters Work Effectively in the Winter?

Monday, December 17th, 2012

Most people associate solar energy systems with the clean, sustainable production of electricity or heat for your Southern Vermont home. It is also possible, though, to use this exceptionally environmentally friendly energy source to heat water for use in your home efficiently and dependably. As is the case with any energy source or water heater, though, a number of factors can influence the success with which a solar water heater operates in your home and on your property. It is important to discuss all of your options and considerations with a qualified solar energy technician. Call HB Energy Solutions today to get all the information you need about heating water with solar energy.

Many homeowners are concerned about the operation of solar energy systems during the winter months. It is important to remember that heat is not what powers your solar energy system but the energy of the sun that is directed at the solar panels. While the days are certainly shorter in the winter time and sunlight is not as continuous as in the summer, your solar panels will still absorb the sunlight available to them.

The success of your solar water heater in the winter time really depends upon such factors as the number of panels you are using as well as the size of your system, the orientation of your property in relation to the sun, and other design points of the system as a whole. If you do not currently have a water heater integrated into your solar heating system, contact a member of our team today to have your system assessed.

Remember too that a backup energy system is often advisable when using solar power for those times when the sun just doesn’t seem to want to shine. Incorporating another fuel source into your solar energy system to supplement your solar energy will help to eliminate these worries. For more information about using a solar water heater in your Southern Vermont  home, contact HB Energy Solutions today.

Interested in Solar Energy in Springfield, VT and Claremont, NH Areas?

Thursday, August 30th, 2012

Most people are familiar with the renewable energy available through solar panels. Did you know that there are also solar hot water heater systems, solar water heaters and solar heating systems available for your home?

Solar powered systems can save money on an annual basis and require minimal maintenance. Call HB Energy Solutions today to schedule an energy audit and to find out how you can utilize the renewable energy of solar power into your home. HB Energy Solutions provides top quality heating, plumbing, AC, electrical and solar energy services in Vermont and New Hampshire. If you are in the Springfield, VT or Claremont, NH areas and are interested in solar energy or any of our other services contact our offices for expert service.

Solar Hot Water | Springfield | HB Energy Solutions

Solar Hot Water | Springfield | HB Energy Solutions