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Frugal and Energy Efficient Living

Fumesucker

(45,851 posts)

8. Water heaters routinely cycle on and off anyway..

Reply to FSogol (Reply #4)

Fri Jan 6, 2012, 11:46 AM

Jan 2012

The temperature cycles between a cold limit and a hot limit with a simple thermostat turning on and off the power to the element, putting a switch will make no difference to the tank's life and will probably extend the life of the heating element considerably.

I've used tankless 120v water heaters for a shower in Puerto Rico, it's just barely adequate for a halfway comfortable shower there, most of mainland USA they are definitely not up to the task.

If you have the power, tankless is great, if you don't they aren't useful for showering.

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21 replies

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Highlight:

Put a switch on my electric water heater, now I only turn it before I'll need really hot water.. [View all] Fumesucker Jan 2012 OP

Why not get an instantaneous (tankless) water heater? n/t FSogol Jan 2012 #1

This seems a cheaper solution than replacing a perfectly good water heater. canoeist52 Jan 2012 #2

Ok, I'll rephrase. When your tank controls/element break from being turned on/off FSogol Jan 2012 #4

Water heaters routinely cycle on and off anyway.. Fumesucker Jan 2012 #8

Two reasons... Fumesucker Jan 2012 #3

We use these for remote sinks, lavs FSogol Jan 2012 #5

Is there somewhere online where you can do a calculation Ruby the Liberal Jan 2012 #6

How many gallons is your water heater? Fumesucker Jan 2012 #7

40 and its not climate controlled. Ruby the Liberal Jan 2012 #9

You might want to check the temperature of the hot water from the closest faucet to your tank.. Fumesucker Jan 2012 #10

Thank you! Ruby the Liberal Jan 2012 #16

Tankless makes sense in a climate where one must run the air conditioner for a lot of the year Kolesar Jan 2012 #17

Fumesucker is correct kristopher Jan 2012 #18

I can do that. Ruby the Liberal Jan 2012 #19

Good for you. This will save both electricity and most likely reduce your use cbayer Jan 2012 #11

Creative frugality. silverweb Jan 2012 #12

Kudos. Used the same system for a year or so. Spartan. dimbear Jan 2012 #20

Not bad at all. silverweb Jan 2012 #21

How long have you been on this system? Curmudgeoness Jan 2012 #13

I only did it a couple of weeks ago.. Fumesucker Jan 2012 #14

I will be interested to hear how much savings you have. Curmudgeoness Jan 2012 #15