Hot water heater question
Has anyone figured out what is cheaper, leaving your hot water heater on electric on all the time or turning it on and off as needed. The world wonders.
Forum Discussion
ZOSO wrote:Sport45 wrote:csamayfield55 wrote:
I don't have any exact numbers here but from someone who works around commercial AC and heating systems here is my thoughts. You can either take it or leave it.
It takes WAY more BTU's (British thermal unit's) to heat water from ambient temperature to say 120 deg. than it does to maintain that temperature for a period of time. The water heater may cycle 4 or 5 times a day for short periods but it is not nearly as much heat energy than letting it cool and then reheat even 2 times a day.
Same for your AC unit's. If you let your rig heat soak till it is too hot to bear inside then turn on your AC it will take much more energy to remove that heat than if you set your stat at a comfortable level and maintain that level.
Chris
Sounds good on the surface, but I ain't buying it.
The heat loss from the hot water tank is to the atmosphere through the insulation on the tank. Heat loss is a function of the temperature difference so the colder the water is the less btu's per hour are being lost. Keeping it hot 24 hrs/day means you are radiating the most heat to the atmosphere and that has to be replenished with propane or electricity. Allowing it to cool between uses radiates less heat and uses less energy in the long run. (Even if it seems like it's firing longer).
Well, I'm going to agree to disagree with you on this Sport45. I'm definitely buying what Chris is selling!
As you wish.
But unlike speed limits, it's hard to break the laws of thermodynamics. :)
