Water heaters account for up to 25 percent of the utility bills in most homes. They are second only to heating and cooling the home. Water heaters can be powered by electric, natural gas, propane gas or fuel oil. Whatever the fuel used to heat hot water it can be expensive.

Rising the temperate of ground water from approximately 58 degrees F to 100 degrees F takes a lot of energy. The secret to saving money heating hot water is to use the most economical system available in your location.

Nearly all home hot water heaters are of the storage tank type. Storage tank water heaters heat water in a tank where it's stored until needed. Unfortunately it takes a lot of energy to keep the water hot twenty four seven in the storage tank. However, storage tank water heaters are the least expensive water heater to buy and install. On average storage tank hot water heaters fail after approximately ten years as a result of tank leakage that causes the unit t to be replaced.

A practical solution is to combine the storage tank unit with another type. A tankless water heater at point of use is a good choice to augment the storage tank unit. Using the point of use unit in conjunction with the storage tank unit will permit you to keep the thermostat down to a much lower temperature. This will cut your water heating cost considerably. The point-of-use heater will rise the water temperature almost instantly when the hot water tap is opened.

The ideal point of use hot water heater is one that heats the water electrically, although natural and propane gas units are also available. However, a gas storage tank hot water heater with a gas point-of-use heater is less expensive to operate than an all electric system. The difference is about a third as much to operate as electric. Both gas and electric systems meet the Energy Star standards.

Whatever method you use to heat hot water for your home you can cut the cost considerably by using a point of use heater along with your storage tank heater. For more information visit your home improvement supply center and discuss which method is right for your household.

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