Alternative Energy & Heating Resources for Hot Water Heaters

Natural gas or gas heaters would be the standard appliances found in most homes. Sometimes though, alternative sources for heating water are wanted. A cottage in a rural location could be inaccessible to utilities, or a strategy to simplify a lifestyle wants a decrease in energy use. A number of ways exist to provide water without gas or electricity. Alternative ways may still use a typical water heater tank to store and distribute the warm water, or they might use a personalized tank.

Solar Power

Solar powered water heaters are typical appliances and can be found in sizes which range from small and portable for camping out in the woods into a full home-sized tank of water. A standard setup would include solar panels which heat a nonfreezing material such as glycol, which is then pumped into a heat exchange device which transfers the energy into the water. Most solar systems have a backup propane heating source for extended intervals if the sun’s energy isn’t sufficient.

Propane Gas

Propane gas brought in through tanks is the alternative of energy for many rural places. It provides the energy for heating the water and home, and cooking. A huge gas tank of 500 gallons might need annually filling once. A propane water heater isn’t any different than a gas heater in operation. A water heater is provided by many manufacturers along with natural gas components.

Wood Heat

Wood heat was pressed into double-duty for heating water because the creation of a bucket to hold water above a fire. For whole house heating, along with enough hot water to fill up a spa or pool, a dedicated outdoor wood furnace is going to perform the job. It depends on a method of sealed pipes for transferring the water from the house to the furnace and back , with an insulated tank to hold the water until necessary.

Creative Replies

Creativity is the only limitation to heating water. Geothermal units work by bringing warmth from under the soil level, which is then used to heat the water and home. Some water heaters make the most of the warmth generated by an ongoing composting facility in which the temperatures can reach 150 degrees Fahrenheit, but others use a windmill to control a car battery which heats the water up. Irrespective of the method, and no matter how far from civilization you would like to be, you don’t ever have to depart from your long, hot tubs supporting.

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