Do you want to save your energy costs? We know all of you must want low energy bills for your water heaters. But, a lot of you may not know how to do it. So, our professionals decided to tell you about a unique device that can save your energy costs. And that device is: Point of Use water heater.
We are going to discuss this Point of Use Water Heater.
What is the Point of Use Water Heater?
A point of use (POU) water heater is a small unit that can be installed near the showers, faucets, sinks, tubs, or a washing machine. They are compact so you can easily install them wherever you want warm water.
So, what does this device do? The point of use water heater heats water near the place where it is needed. So, you don’t need to wait for hot water from the central heating system after opening the faucet.
You all know that if your faucet is at a distance from the central heating system, it will take a lot of time to reach its destination. But, a point of use water heater will heat cold water near your faucet and will give it to you in a short time.
There are two types of point of use water heaters.
Two Types of a Point Of Use Water Heater
This water heater has two types.
1. Point Of Use Tank Water Heater
These look like the mini version of the tank water heaters. You can find them in different sizes ranging from 2.5 gallons to 20 gallons.
Because of their compact size, you can install them near every typical water outlet.
2. Point Of Use Tankless Water Heater
These work just like the big tankless water heaters. It means they don’t store water either. So, they are smaller than point of use tank water heaters.
But, they are slightly more inconvenient than the tank heater. One inconvenience is you have to wait for some moments for the warm water to come. It is not as much as you have to wait for warm water from the central system, but a bit more than a mini tank heater.
The second inconvenience is it is only available for three places:
- Wall mounted
- Over sink
- Under sink
So, this is a brief introduction to the point of use water heater. Now, how is it energy-efficient?
Is Point Of Use Water Heater Energy Efficient?
The simple answer to this question is “Yes”. A point of use water heater is energy efficient. How? Let’s see it.
- When you turn on a faucet, you wait for warm water to come out. Cold water is getting wasted while you are waiting. Almost 2-5 gallons of water is wasted per minute during this waiting period. So, your point of use water heater can eliminate that time, preventing cold water from getting wasted.
- When water moves in the pipe from the central heating system to your faucet, a lot of heat is wasted in the journey. So, you will not be able to get as much warm water as you desire. But, this water heater will heat water near your faucet, so no heat will be wasted and you can enjoy a really warm bath.
- It happens that when you open a faucet, the central heating system warms excessive water and it goes into the pipes. When you close the faucet, some of the warm water remains in the pipe and gets cold when it is not used. This cold water comes out initially when we turn on a faucet. If you have a point of use water heater near the faucet, it will re-warm that cold water, saving the energy that the central heating system uses on it.
- Tankless point of use water heater only warms water when you want to use it. It works differently than the central heating system which always has warm water in its system. So, it can also save your energy by warming only a small amount of water.
These are the ways through which a point of use water heater is energy efficient. There are some interesting facts and research related to its energy efficiency too.
Facts Related to Point Of Use Water Heater Energy Efficiency
A lot of credible sources confirmed that a point of use water heater can make your life easy in terms of low energy bills.
The US Department of Energy (DOE) claims that electric water heaters take 18 percent of your home’s total electricity bill. And, they also say that you can save 50 percent of water heater energy if you use it at each of your outlets. It means you can save almost $100 annually when using this heater.
The Energy Star Initiative also says that you can take advantage of a point of use water heater even if you have a central heating system. It will still be useful in lessening your energy and water costs.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says that a family spends over $1000 annually on water costs. But, they can save almost 20 percent if they use water-efficient fixtures. It means that POU can save your money on water too.
The DOE also says that investing money in POU water heaters is a wise decision. The tank point of use water heater can last for 10-15 years, and the tankless one can have the age of 20-25 years.
It means that buying it will not be an expensive decision for you. You can also install them easily if you know the basics of plumbing. If not, then their installation from a professional person will also not be costly.
However, the decision to install them is always not a favorable one. There are certain situations in which a point of use water heater can give you benefits.
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When Should You Use Point Of Use Water Heater?
When will this water heater be beneficial for you? Where can you use a point of use water heater? Let’s discuss the answers to these questions
1. Smaller Houses with Limited Fixtures
If your house is small and contains only a few places where you need hot water, then POU water heaters will be the best option.
It means that if you have only one bathroom, one kitchen sink, and one washing machine; then having only a point-of-use water heater will be the best option.
2. Water in Remote Places
If you have an outdoor washroom, sink, or washing machine, then having this water heater will be the best option.
Because water will take a long route to reach these remote places. It can cost you a lot of money and time. So, install point of use water heaters near these places.
3. Installing New Place
Let’s suppose you want to make a new room in your garage. Or, want to expand any part of your house.
So, in place of disturbing your plumbing system, you can install a point of use water heater in that place. It will save you from a lot of inconvenience.
4. In Larger Homes with Distant Points
If you have an old or large home where a lot of your faucets are away from the main heating system, you will need a point of use water heater there.
Install it near every faucet. So that when water comes near it, POU enhances its temperature. In this way, you will get the warm water.
It will save you from increasing the temperature of your storage tank. This fact will also save energy costs.
5. In Mobile Homes
Using this heater in mobile homes is feasible. It will save you from extensive plumbing issues when you are on the road. Because they are enough to provide hot water to mobile homes without a main water heater system.
6. New Homes
If you are making a new home, then you should go for Point Of Use water heaters. They are modern and can easily replace the main water heating system. So, you can save your money by only investing in it.
7. Infrequent hot water use
If your family doesn’t use hot water frequently because of different reasons, then having a tankless POU water heater will be a good choice.
We have told you that this point of use water heater does not store water in it, so it will only use energy when you want warm water.
So, having it in place of a tank heating system will be a wise choice.
8. Low demand fixtures
If you have specific fixtures that are not commonly used in your home, such as the guest washroom, you can install POU there.
So, these are the places where you can use point of use water heaters. But, you need to maintain it so that it keeps working efficiently and saving your energy bills.
Maintenance Tips for Point Of Use Water Heaters
- You should flush the POU water heater tank once a year. For the tankless heater, you should drain it after every six months.
- Keep an eye on the anode rod and replace it when it starts corroding.
- Do a general inspection of the point of use water heater every one to two months. Look for any signs of leakage or corrosion in it.
- Check your valves to know they are not loosened.
- Always keep flammable or combustible material away from it. Otherwise, you can face exploitation of your heater.
- Insulate your POU water heater or pipes so that it keeps functioning properly.
So, these are the tips that will ensure the longevity.
For any repairs, installations, builds, or questions; We recommend you to hire a professional. Find A Pro Near You Here!
