MORE POWER TO YOU
Tankless water heaters: a good deal? Tankless water heaters offer the promise of hot water on demand, but electric co-ops are concerned about the impact their use might have on electricity demand during peak usage periods. Tankless water heaters can ratchet up the demand for electricity, particularly during peak usage hours when people are bathing or doing laundry, for example. And co-ops that buy power wholesale can face higher wholesale rates during peak demand times. Whole-house versions can contain up to four 7,000-watt elements, which can consume substantially more energy than the two 4.5-kilowatt elements found in the electric water heaters used by many consumers. Also, the cost of purchasing, installing and maintaining a tankless heater may outweigh their modest energy savings. “Tankless water heaters are pretty popular in Europe and in some Asian countries, but we’re beginning to see them
Energy Star homes sell better A Vance County news blog reported in December that Energy Star homes sell faster and at a higher price per square foot compared to conventional homes. The story by Phil Hart in the blog Home in Henderson cited a study by the North Carolina Energy Efficiency Alliance (NCEEA). The study analyzed data for new homes built in 2010 in a five-county area around the Raleigh-Durham region. The study showed that the Energy Star label brings significant added value to homes beyond the 15 to 30 percent savings on monthly utility bills. The study compared Energy Star homes to similar codebuilt homes. Appraisal values were provided by a third-party N.C. licensed appraiser. Energy Star sold for $2.99 more per square foot and up to 89 days faster than conventional homes. An Energy Star qualification does add upfront cost to a home, but savings for the builder and homeowner seem to exceed the initial investment. Energy Star homes require third-party verification to assure buyers they are getting a more comfortable home with lower operating costs due to better insulation, advanced framing, air sealing, high performance windows, and more efficient lighting and appliances that meet the Energy Star program requirements. The executive summary from this study, as well as the full report, can be found on the website www.ncenergystar.org. The North Carolina Energy Efficiency Alliance is a statewide organization based at Appalachian State University in Boone.
8 FEBRUARY 2012 Carolina Country
advertised more in the United States,” said Brian Sloboda, a program manager at NRECA’s Cooperative Research Network. In most cases, there is a need to upgrade electrical systems to handle their load, as well as limitations on their ability to provide continuous supplies of hot water simultaneously for different needs. It is not realistic to expect unlimited supplies of hot water from tankless heaters, Sloboda said, adding that the tankless models can’t match the 50-gallon to 80-gallon reserve in a traditional water heater tank. “If someone is taking a shower and someone else is using the kitchen sink or washing clothes, someone is going to be unhappy,” he said. In some areas, electric utilities charge premiums for peaktime power demand. A tankless water heater running during that period could have a hefty effect on a consumer’s bill. — Electric Co-op Today
“Check out” the value of electricity! Next time you’re at the grocery store, think about the way prices for bread, eggs, and other consumer goods have risen over the years. Electricity remains a value! Average annual price increase between 2000-2010:
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Mainstream Graphics