1. Only wash full loads. Reducing the amount of your smaller loads and washing more items together will lighten your carbon footprint considerably. Be sure to adjust the water level to your load size or select the auto-level option if you have a smart washer.

2. Wash clothes in cold water. Per load, only 10% of total energy used goes to the washer motor; the rest heats water. Loads washed in cold water come out as clean as those that get the hot water treatment.

3. Use a concentrated detergent. Smaller packages require less space for shipping and deliver more clean loads. Be extra green and make your own detergent with basic ingredients available at your grocery store.

4. Hang clothes up or outside to dry. Drip-drying doesn’t result in any greenhouse gas emissions, and it’s cooler for your home during warmer months. Exhange outdoor-inspired dryer sheets for Mother Nature.

5. Don’t over dry. When you have to use your dryer, simply dry loads for shorter periods and even hang damp. Dryer balls also help pound fabric and may speed up the drying process.

6. Keep iron in your diet and off the board. Irons heat up your energy usage and deteriorate clothes. Fold items immediately after they’re finished drying, pressing with your hands to smooth the fabric.

Back In The Old Days

With all of the conveniences made available by modern technology, it’s not hard for modern Americans to take certain things for granted. Take for example: long, hot showers, washing machines, a good soak in a nice hot bubble bath. We get use to using an abundant amount of hot water for anything from bathing and showering to cleaning. Well, back in the old days, hot water didn’t just come out of a faucet at our convenience. I KNOW! Crazy right? No, it was boiled, in a pot, on the stove. Back then, baths were a luxury that happened every once in a while because it was just a back breaking, labor intensive, pain in the butt to fill up a tub. But advancements in water heating technology have obviously made things A LOT easier! For instance, the water heating tank.

The Storage Tank Water Heater

You know that big tubular thing that’s in your attic, garage, or laundry room right now? Yeah, we’re talking about your hot water tank. Americans adopted the idea of a water production and storage system that utilized a huge water tank. You know how it works. First there is a storage tank that is wrapped in insulation to help keep it warm, and around the insulation is an outer shell, which adds more insulation as well as makes it look a little prettier. An electric tank is filled with cold water and one or two elements, located at the top and/or bottom, heat the water. A gas tank is filled with cold water and is heated from the bottom of the tank with a gas or oil fired burner, and the exhaust from the burned gasses is released through the flue at the top. However, when the burner is not going, the exhaust flue is letting in cool air which ends up cooling off the water that has already been heated. Obviously not very efficient. Because of that, this method uses a ton of energy to ensure that the water in the tank remains hot, whether it’s being used or not. So where did the idea for a TANKLESS water heater come from?

The Tankless Water Heater

Although it didn’t gain popularity in America right away, another type of water heater was developed in Europe that actually came BEFORE the storage model. In London, England in 1868, a painter named Benjamin Waddy Maughan invented the first “instantaneous domestic water heater” that actually didn’t utilize solid fuel. It was named “The Geyser” after an Icelandic gushing hot spring. Maughan’s invention had the cold water at the top flowing through wires that were heated by hot gases from a burner at the bottom. Hot water then flowed into the sink or the tub. This original invention was a little on the dangerous side because there was no flue to remove the heated gases from the bathroom. *SNIFF* Gotta love the smell of exhaust in the morning!

From Britain to America

Maughan’s invention ended up influencing the work of a Norwegian mechanical engineer named Edwin Ruud. The electric water heater was invented in 1889 by Rudd after he immigrated to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Thus, the Ruud Manufacturing Company was born. Still in existence today, the Ruud Manufacturing Company has made many advancements in water heater design and operation. From then, many more manufacturers have played with the technology and few have perfected it.

Advancements in Technology

Throughout the years, just as any technology field, tankless water heaters have evolved from big, bulky cylindrical steel heat exchangers that sit on the floor to small, compact, ultra-efficient machines that hang on a wall in a garage, basement, attic, laundry room, etc. Tankless water heaters heat the water only when it’s needed, which reduces the expense of continuously heating water that sits in a tank for most of the day. Tankless water heaters are also known as: Instantaneous Water Heaters, On-Demand Water heaters, Inline Water Heaters, as well as many others. These days, tankless water heaters are equipped with computer boards and sensors that tell the machine when the hot water is needed so the machine can turn on. There are also sensors that tell the machine how cold the incoming water is so that it can heat the water to a specific temperature, and the sensor on the hot water side makes sure all of the water coming out of that machine is the temperature you set it at.

Benefits of Tankless

Tankless heaters not only save on energy costs, but they’re also wall mountable and portable, eliminating the heavy lifting involved with the old storage models. They can be used in commercial settings, as well as apartment buildings by a simple ‘link’ system that connects several tankless heaters together. This system provides uniform temperature and flow rates to all of the units, enabling higher flow rates and maximum production. Tankless water heaters are low emission and long lasting, with little or no maintenance needed during their typical 20-25 year lifespans. Initial installment costs are offset by energy savings, as well as the savings of having to replace that big ol’ tank every 8-10 years (that means replacing a tank 3-4 times before you’d have to replace a tankless). Also, ugly rusted tanks are a thing of the past as well as flooded floors. That is, of course, unless you LIKE having 40-50 gallons of water sitting in your attic that could come flooding out at any second.

Installation

We know what you’re thinking. “Alright, Alright! Where can I get one already?” Well, right here of course! Give the Hot Water Guys a call at (832) 673-0909, or send us an email. We’d be happy to give you a Free Home Estimate and discuss all of the different models we have available for you to choose from. We are certified by most major manufacturers including: Rheem, Rinnai, Navien, Takagi, Noritz, Stiebel-Eltron, Bosch and Seisco. You can rest assured that you will have a Tankless Water Heater that is properly sized, energy efficient, and beautifully installed by our professional installers.

Service

Just throwing out there that we are also certified and authorized service providers for Bosch, AO Smith, State, Paloma, Rheem, and GE tank water heaters as well as all of the tankless manufacturers mentioned above.

4. LONGER LIFETIME Your uninformed neighbor may replace his tank water heater 3-4 times during the lifetime of your tankless water heater. Poor guy

3. PEACE OF MIND 80 gallons of water in the attic can cause a lot of damage.

2. HOT WATER FOREVER As long as you need it and when you need it, a tankless water heater will heat your water. When you don’t, it doesn’t. It’s that simple.

1. ENERGY EFFICIENT A condensing tankless water heater is 94-96% efficient. A standard tank water heater is 35-40% eficient when new. By the time your tank is 5 or 6 years old it is operating at about 16-20% efficient. YIKES. That’s like throwing money down the drain…pun intended.

Maybe it is time to find out how much money a tankless water can help you save on your energy bill, hmmmmm??

Michael Gallegos, Houston

**Pretend I’m talking really fast – then it will seem like its “fine print”**
• Product must be registered within 30 days of purchase or new home occupancy at www.rinnairegistration.com or by calling 1-866-RINNAI-1 (746-6241).
• If the product is installed on a circulation system, the circulation system must be controlled as follows:
On models R98LSi/e, R75LSi/e, and R94LSi/e by an “on-demand” system. On-demand recirculation is defined as a hot water recirculating loop or system that utilizes existing hot and cold lines or a dedicated return line, and only activates when hot water is used. It can be activated by a push button, motion sensor, or voice activation but not by a temperature sensor. A timer added to a standard recirculating pump is not considered as on-demand.
On models RC98 and RC80 when the water heater is used in a circulation system which is controlled through an aquastat/thermostat, or timer, or an on-demand system.
• Conditions and coverage terms as outlined in Rinnai’s standard product warranty apply.

Products not meeting the above requirements will be covered under the Rinnai standard product warranty as provided in the Operating Instruction manual which comes with each product, which includes certain warranty limitations which are covered in the warranty.

Do you have a Rinnai installed in a Commercial Application? Don’t worry, Rinnai didn’t forget about you! Rinnai will extend the warranty period, on the LABOR COVERAGE ONLY, for model RC98, RC80, R98LSi/e, R94LSi/e, and R75LSi/e Tankless Water Heaters for an additional 12 months (a total of 24 months labor coverage from date of install), free of charge, when used in a commercial hot water application. Here goes that legal stuff again. Are you paying attention?
• Product must be registered within 30 days of purchase at www.rinnairegistration.com or by calling 1-866-RINNAI-1 (746-6241).
• No structure heating or closed loop applications.
• If the product is installed on a circulation system, the circulation system must be controlled as follows:
On models R98LSi/e, R94LSi/e, R75LSi/e by an “on-demand” system. On-demand recirculation is defined as a hot water recirculating loop or system that utilizes existing hot and cold lines or a dedicated return line, and only activates when hot water is used. It can be activated by a push button, motion sensor, or voice activation, but not by a temperature sensor. A timer added to a standard recirculating pump is not considered as on-demand.
On models RC98 and RC80 when the water heater is used in a recirculation system which is controlled through an aquastat/thermostat, or timer, or an on-demand system.
• Conditions and coverage terms as outlined in Rinnai’s standard product warranty apply.

Products not meeting the above requirements will be covered under the Rinnai standard product warranty as provided in the Operating Instruction manual which comes with each product, which includes certain warranty limitations which are covered in the warranty.

Effective Dates
January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011.

Product Qualifications and Credit Amount
• Product: Tankless Water Heaters
• Qualifications: Energy factor (EF) >= 0.82

• Product: Boilers
• Qualifications: AFUE >= 95

Guidelines
• The Tankless Water Heater or boiler must be “placed in service” between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011. The IRS defines “placed in service” as when the product is ready and available for use.
• The Tankless Water Heater or boiler must be installed in or on the taxpayers’ principal residence in the United States.
• The tax credit is ONLY available for existing homes.
• There is an overall cap of $500 for fiscal years 2006 – 2011 combined. If you have ever claimed this credit in the past, it counts toward the $500 cap (but does not affect the $1500 limit available for 2009 and 2010). So, for example, if you claimed $300 in 2007, you can only claim $200 in 2011; if you claimed $800 in 2009, you cannot claim any more credit.

How to Claim Your Tax Credit for 2011
• Purchase and install a qualifying Rinnai tankless water heater or boiler between Jan. 1, 2011 – Dec. 31, 2011
• Save your proof of purchase to turn in with your tax forms
• When filing your 2011 taxes, use IRS Form 5695 (2011 version) – it will be available late 2011 or early 2012. Consult a tax professional for further details.

Boasting the kind of exceptional thinking that makes HGTV Dream Homes so captivating and unique, the three-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath home features a Rinnai freestanding Impression™ outdoor fireplace, Rinnai ENERGYSAVER™ indoor fireplace, wall-mounted condensing boiler, and two Rinnai condensing tankless water heaters.

Rinnai gas appliances were chosen for inclusion in the HGTV Dream Home 2011, as well as previous HGTV Dream Homes, because of their functionality, energy efficiency, and long-lasting, trouble-free performance. See how Rinnai provides endless hot water as well as compact, energy-efficient whole house heating for the HGTV Dream Home 2011.

If this is something you are thinking about taking advantage of call The Hot Water Guys today to set up a site visit for a free quote. The monies will be handed out on a first come first serve basis so BE PREPARED!!

The Hot Water Guys is proud to represent each manufacturer whose tankless water heaters we sell and install. The question isn’t “Which Tankless Water Heater is the best?” but instead “Which Tankless Water is the best for ME?”.

When we schedule a site visit with a customer there are many factors to take into consideration before recommending a tankless unit. Does the customer have water saviing fixtures? Are there any special venting requirements? Where will the unit be mounted? What is the incoming water temperature? These are just a few of the questions we take into account when helping a customer decide which tankless unit is the best for them.

Need help deciding which tankless unit is right for YOU? Give us a call and leave it to the EXPERTS!!

A fun time is guaranteed for all! Check back for pictures!!

Rinnai is dropping the flow rates on its Next Generation 94LS Series and the 75LS Series. These new units ONLY take .4 GPM of water to start the unit and ONLY .3 GPM of hot water to keep the machine activated. That is barely more than a trickle!

This Next GenerationSeries also has an additional burner chamber with dual flame rods for a lower minimum gas input rate of 10,000 BTU.

Rinnai was this years 2010 Builders’ Brand Leader Award in Quality as chosen by Builder Magazine, a recognition they certainly deserve!

There has been alot of buzz lately about gas hybrid tankless water heaters. Eternal is proud to have the only one that is listed with Energy Star. This unit is a whopping 98% efficient! Eternal likes to point out the 3-C’s of water heating:

CLEAN:
-Stainless Steel Heat Exchanger with a built in 2-gal. reserve tank.
-Ultra low emmisions leaves almost NO carbon footprint.
-Pantented self-cleaning, utilizes turbulent flow to flush out sediments.

CLEVER:
-Utilizes PVC venting.
-Components clip-on for easy servicing.
-98% efficient AND qualifies for LEED Credits.

CONFIDENT:
-Full flow design enables high output without water pressure drop.
-Thermostat and Flow – Dual Activation is compatible with Water Sense fixtures.
-No start up lag.
-20 year residential Heat Exchanger warranty.

The Eternal Condensing Hybrid has a 3-Cycle process that pushes heat in 3 directions through the water which maximizes energy transfer. The integrated small storage within the heat exchanger for easy recirculation creates FAST hot water delivery without pressure loss. Call for more information about these cutting edge Hybrid Condensing water heaters!
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State officials have announced a winter 2010 offering using unclaimed rebate funds. The initial offer involved more than $20 million in federal stimulus funds.

Comptroller’s spokesman Allen Spelce says about $10 million was left over from the original program after all rebates were paid.

A listing Thursday on a website affiliated with the state comptroller’s office, which administers the program, says additional details will be announced later.

It kind of feels like that with this year! Which means *insert scary music here* THE END IS NEAR!!! The federal tax credit is scheduled to expire at the end of 2010!

Now, it’s already the middle of June. Which means the end of this tax credit is coming quickly! So you have to act fast.

We sell and install tankless water heaters from every major manufacturer including Rinnai, Rheem, Navien, Noritz, Takagi, and Seisco. Give us a call to set up a free site visit to find the tankless water heater that will best meet your water heating needs.

What are you waiting for? CALL TODAY!