Going Green Using a Tankless Water Heater

A tankless water heater heats water as it is used, not water to be stored at an elevated temperature.  A conventional water heater heats a tank of water, which can slowly cool and need to be reheated if not used immediately.  The energy wasted in heating water repeatedly before usage has a negative impact on the environment. 

A tankless water heater, by heating only water as it is used, has less wasted energy.  Hence, there is a positive impact on the reduction of one’s carbon footprint, a term used because carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that we often associate with man’s impact on global warming.

Some tankless water heaters operate by burning gas.  The water is heater as it flows past the burner.  Unfortunately, not all of heat produced as the gas is burned goes into the water.  So, some loss occurs. 

Some conductors heat up significantly when current flows through them.  This actually occurs in tungsten filament light bulbs.  In a water heater the heating element is larger than a tungsten filament, and heats to a significantly high temperature.  But again there is loss in transferring the heat to the water.

This question requires another question, what is the source of the electricity used?  If the power plant is a nuclear power plant, a hydroelectric power plant, or generates electricity from solar or wind power, the power plant itself does less damage to the accumulation of greenhouse gases than if it burns fossil fuel.  Alas, since power plants supplement each other, this is not so simple to determine.  Even so, every conversion of energy from one form to another has a loss.  If the electricity must be generated, then converted to heat, there are two efficiencies to consider. 

More likely one will choose a water heater on the amount of spigots that need to dispense hot water simultaneously, and the cost of making the purchase.  The cost of operation is also to be considered.  Ask about these considerations when making the purchase.  Our purpose here is not to find the cheapest unit, but the one that makes the least environmental impact.

So, the answer lies in the damage done to the environment in generating the electricity, and conversion to heat, compared to the burning of gas to provide heat, and the efficiencies of the processes.

Generating solar energy yourself makes the electric water heater the best from an environment consideration, except for a solar water heater.  Yes, solar water heaters exist, and use black, carbon to accept sunlight and convert it to heat, then warm the water within.  But, that might be more than you wish to do.  Or, are you environmentally conscious enough to consider this option?  These do have a problem if you drain the tank when the sun is not out.  Then, an alternate heat source is needed.

Any of the water heaters that do not reheat stored water can have a positive impact.  Remember, to do nothing is the wrong choice, even if you cannot be certain of the best choice.

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