There are any number of diaries here discussing An Inconvenient Truth and how to save energy and the environment.
I'm here to say that the longest journey begins with but one small step.
I'm standing here in my kitchen making lunch, and using natural gas. But to my left is a relatively brand new hot water heater (the prior heater, deciding that after so many years of providing hot water to my bathroom, that it would be only fair that it also take a leak).
With the current push to conserve energy, limit our dependence on foreign oil, stop global warming, etc. etc. it occurred to me that I may just be supporting the terrorists with my big bad water heater. Barring some sort of subconscious diabolical plan to either melt them, or drown them by doing my part to hasten global warming, I think perhaps I could have done better.
I remember when I worked in Moscow. For those of you who haven't had the pleasure, during each summer the city turns off your hot water for about a month. Hot water is provided by the city and evidently if they don't take one month every year to clean the pipes, bad things happen. Now let me tell you, I don't know how they heat that water, but you could boil pasta with it. That hot water is HOT. Let me also tell you that the cold water you get, IS FREAKING FREEZING! And for one month every year you have take a shower in it. Ever spent your saturday night boiling water on the stove in every pot you have so you can soak in a hot bath? I have. And let me tell you, that is time well spent.
I tell you this story because it was at this time that I learned about a nifty little gizmo a friend of mine had in her apartment. You attached it to the shower head and it heated the water as it came out. I went over and used it on more than one occasion, and while the water wasn't really all that hot, considering the alternative it was heaven.
Hmmmm, heating water only when you need it? Sounds like quite the way to conserve energy doesn't it? Well we can do that here in the States right now. And we need to.
The technology is much better now, and you can buy hot water heaters that don't hold hot water. No tank. No constant energy keeping the water hot. You turn on the hot water and the unit heats it as you use it. I've done a little bit of reading recently, and these tankless water heaters are really taking off.
Homeowners will pay upfront, however, for the chance to save in the long run. A new tankless unit, including installation, will range from $1,300 to as much as $3,500 or $4,000. Some homeowners can offset part of that cost by qualifying for a $300 energy savings tax credit in 2007.
Home Depot sells tankless water heaters for $649 to $999; however, most manufacturers won't warranty their units unless installed by a certified plumber. Most tankless units come with 5- to 15-year warranties.
Another big advantage: space savings. Most tankless water heaters are about one-third the size of conventional units.
I wish I had known before I bought my new water heater. Alas, perhaps one of you can now make the better decision. For me, I'm done with the cold showers.