Here are some totally AWESOME facts about water heaters I bet you didn't know about!
1. COOL heaters DO exist!! They Suck up Heat in the air and Convert it into Heated Water. WOW!
They're called, Heat Pumps! These innovative water heaters absorb all our unwanted air heat. Then, they efficiently transfer this heat into your water heater tank.. saving you hundred$ of $$ Every Year!
Heat pumps are great for hot climates, like Singapore. They run wonderfully as as long as temperatures are above 15ºC. The drawback? Heat pumps don't work in winter. If you live in America, your heat pump may only do its hot-air-transformation for only 6 months.
Heat pumps can work all-year-round in Singapore. They are the reverse of an air-conditioner, but with much lower running costs because of our hot climate. Compared to solar heaters, they save more. Solar saves 50% of energy compared to a heat pump that can save 80%.
2. Here's Why You Should NEVER use an Aircon Linked Water Heater.
An aircon water heater uses heat from the aircon compressor to heat up hot water.
It seems energy-efficient in theory, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. You’ll need to turn on multiple aircons in 3 separate rooms for 12 hours before they can heat up a small 30-litre tank. Aircon heaters end up consuming more because users are forced to use more aircon to get hot water.
Want an energy-efficient unit? Go for a renewable energy water heater instead.
3. Solar Heaters Existed 6000 Years Ago!
Did you know the Romans were already using solar heating 6,000 years ago? In Roman baths, the sun’s rays would heat the windows, reflecting heat into the water. This method could sustain temperatures up to 37°C indoors, even if it was -1°C outdoors.
On cloudy days, Romans used a water heating technology known as the Hypocaust. The hypocaust is a furnace that circulates heat between the ground and floor.
No matter how primitive these ancient healing techniques were, it is still nice to look back and see how far solar water heating has come. Modern solar heaters still share similar principles with ancient technology.
4. What's the NORMAL Lifespan of a Heater?
The average lifespan of a water heater is estimated to be 10 years. But today’s heaters in Singapore can last only 5 years. Why? In today’s globalised world, manufacture of heaters are usually out-sourced and that results in a quality control drop.
Choose a factory where heaters are made in-house. The higher quality standards will give you better peace of mind and save more money in the long run.
5. Which Country Invented the FIRST Modern Water Heater?
NORWAY!!! Man, it MUST be cold there. Norwegian-American engineer Edwin Ruud patented the first successful automatic storage heater in 1889. Many consider him the father of the modern water heater. His unit made it more accessible and convenient for households to get hot water.
Ruud’s water heater was also much more energy-efficient than previous hot water systems. It was the first heater to use a heating element to heat water in an insulated tank. For the first time, water could be stored at a constant temperature. This reduced the amount of energy needed to heat the water.
6. Left Unchecked, Your Heaters Can Consume 20% of our Home's Total Energy..
Water heaters have high energy consumption and can take up to 18% of a household’s energy usage! An environment of rising energy costs have given us some great energy-efficient appliances. As homeowners, it is important to select a green heater to reduce running costs.
If you’re buying a new water heater, check its energy efficiency with the Energy Factor or EF rating. It is an international standard that measures the water heater’s energy consumption. The higher the EF, the more energy-saving the unit is.
