Water Heaters “cash for clunkers” program
Most home
owners don’t start thinking about their water heater until it suddenly stops working; which means they don’t have much time to shop around for the best deal and the most energy efficient model on the market. When there’s no hot water in your home and you’re aching for a nice hot shower, you’ll take any water heater you can get as long as it’s working, right?
Between 13% and 17% of residential energy consumption in the United States comes from water heaters- that’s a pretty big portion of our energy usage. And like the “cash for clunkers” government program is urging motorists (with generous tax incentives) to upgrade their gas-guzzling vehicles for more efficient cars, the Federal Government is also about to unveil a “cash for clunkers appliances” program that provides tax rebates for upgrading energy-sucking appliances like water heaters, dishwashers, refrigerators and washer/dryers for units with better EnergyStar ratings. Some retailers will even be able to give a discount up to 25% of the appliance cost right there at the cash register!
So does this mean homeowners should just hope that if their water heater is going to fail soon, it dies in 2010 so they can take advantage of the program? No! Upgrading your old water heater now can save you even more money. Not only does it mean you get to take part in the limited time tax incentive program, but a more energy efficient water heater can save you $200-$300 a year in energy costs on your gas or electric bill. That means that if you buy a water heater during this “cash for clunkers appliances” program, your investment could pay itself off in the first year or two; then just continue to save you more money than you are spending now to keep your old water heater going.
Here is an article in the Chicago Sun-Times covering the news of the program; and here is a detailed article with more information on water heaters and energy factors from the US Department of Energy. Contact The Scottish Plumber if you’re thinking about taking part in this program to save some money on a new water heater, and we’re going to keep our ears to the tracks for when the program begins. We can take a look at your current water heater and calculate about how much more efficient several options of newer models will be and how much money you could save.
It’s much less stressful to pick out a new water heater while your current water heater is still working, so you’re not worried where your next hot shower is going to come from!