All Water Heaters Should Be Insulated
QUESTION: Is it necessary to insulate water heaters located in the heated part of the house? The heat lost from the tank isn’t wasted if it is used to heat the home in place of heat from the heating system.
ANSWER: This idea seems to make sense, but misses several important facts.
First, the heat supplied by a water heater is not as efficient as a conventional heating system at providing space heat. Also, it can’t distribute heat as effectively throughout the home.
Second, during warmer months, when space heat is unnecessary, the heat loss from the tank will still be wasted and will contribute to any air conditioning loads.
Finally, a well-insulated tank in combination with insulated plumbing runs will reduce the time it takes to get hot water to the tap and thus save both energy and water.
An insulated pad used beneath the tank will further reduce heat loss.
About 3,000 Products Made From Petroleum
Q: While the major petroleum products are fuels--what everyday consumer products are made from oil? Please name some so I can decide if an alternative product (not made from oil) is available.
A: You’re right in that gasoline is the most consumed petroleum product in this country. About 41% of each barrel of crude oil ends up as gasoline. But about 3,000 different products come from petroleum.
Portable Space Heater Better Energy Saver
Q: Our house is heated with electricity, which gets expensive in the cold weather. To save money, my mom likes to turn down the thermostat, then turn on the gas oven and leave the door open. I think I read somewhere when it burns, gas gives off stuff we shouldn’t breathe. Is this a problem?
A: Gas, like all fuels, does give off by-products when it burns. Some of the byproducts are not healthy to breathe. You’ll note that all gas furnaces, water heaters and dryers are vented to the outside.
When you’re cooking, your oven doesn’t burn as much gas as your furnace does when it’s running, so the oven doesn’t give off as much noxious byproduct.
Still we recommend that the kitchen exhaust fan be used whenever the stove or oven is in use. Healthy use of the appliance means it’s not a good substitute for a space heater.
A better alternative would be to buy a small electric space heater. Turn the thermostat down to 55 degrees, then use the portable heater in the room you are occupying.
Remember to read and obey the heater manufacturer’s safety precautions. Never leave a portable heater on when it’s unattended or when you are sleeping. This approach should also save you money.
Since you have turned down your thermostat, the bill on your central heating system should be lower. Your electric bill will be a little higher. You should still save money though since you will only be heating smaller, occupied areas to comfortable temperatures.
We are recommending an electric portable heater because it does not require venting to the outside for safe operation. All other portables that burn a fuel--gas, propane or kerosene--will pollute your house air unless those combustion byproducts are vented to the outside.
Manufacturers sometimes recommend that a window be opened in the room where the combustion heater is located. Unfortunately, this practice can lose more energy than the heater produces.
Produced by the Energy Extension Service, a division of the Washington State Energy Office. PRODUCTS MADE FROM PETROLEUM A partial list of consumer products that can be made from petroleum. Air conditioners Ammonia Antiseptics Brassieres Bubble gum Car battery cases Carpet sweepers Crayons Denture adhesive Deodorant Digital clocks Dish-washing liquids Dolls Drinking cups Electric blankets Electrician’s tape Enamel Eyeglasses Fertilizers Floor polish Floor wax Folding doors Frisbees Guitar strings Hair coloring Hair dryers Heart valves House paint Ice buckets Ice chests Ink Insect repellent Life jackets Loudspeakers Mascara Model cars Parachutes Pesticides Ping-Pong paddles Planters Purses Refrigerator linings Roller-skate wheels Shoes Shower doors Slip covers Sneakers Soap dishes Sports car bodies Stretch pants Sweaters Telephones Tennis balls Tennis rackets Tires Tobacco pouches Transparent tape Toilet seats TV cabinets Vacuum bottles Volleyballs Source: American Petroleum Institute
