Hot Water Heater for Condo, Electric, Energy Star, In a Closet?

Question

My current water heater is working just fine. However, I have updated literally everything in my condo to energy efficient appliances, except the hot water heater, which ironically is probably the biggest energy hog in most homes to begin with.

Unfortunately I live in a condo, that means no garage, and I have to abide by home owners association rules, which means no propane or gas either. The only place I have to put the heater is a 7 x 5 closet where the combo washer and dryer is also stored. Based on what I ve read this eliminates just about all energy star water heaters from being feasible.

It seems heat pumps require a large open air environment to draw from, and pump out cool air as exhaust, which compounds temperature regulation issues in my small condo, likewise because gas is not an option, and that s the only other form of energy star water heater, I am basically screwed.

However, I m hoping I m mistaken, so please correct me if I am. Are there any electric Hot Water Heaters with an energy star rating that can be placed in a small closet without causing other problems such as heat regulation, et cetera (As a side note I have a single exhaust vent for the Washer Dryer that I am not using since it doesn t require one, if that is at all beneficial please take it into consideration).

Answer 1

You will be able to find a small enough Energy Star electric hot water heater that will fit in the space. A heat exchange water heater is worth taking a look at. You may want to consider a tankless water heater. Here's the link to the web site.

https://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0SO81G0bHtZbIgAV6tXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE0cm9rODAzBGNvbG8DZ3ExBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDQjM5MzZfMQRzZWMDcGl2cw--?p=what%27s+the+size+of+the+smallest+energy+star+water+heater&fr2=piv-web&fr=yset_chr_cnewtab



Here's one from K-Mart that's a 20 gallon water heater.



http://www.kmart.com/kenmore-20-gal-6-year-compact-electric-water/p-04231606000P



http://www.smarterhouse.org/water-heating/replacing-your-water-heater

Answer 2

There may be less to gain than you think: In the winter, any waste energy from your hot water tank goes to warming your condo, anyway.



You could always add insulation to your electric tank heater.



Beyond that, a tankless, "on demand" hot water heater would be more energy efficient. But the ones I've looked at require a 200 Amp service at the main panel board, and your condo probably doesn't have that.

Answer 3

Yes there are smaller Electric Hot water heaters that are energy star rated, you may have to settle for a smaller tank (smaller tank=less stored hot water) or be willing to pay more money for a more compact unit, but they do exist.

keep in mind that most of these high efficient(energy star) hot water heaters simply have more insulation on the tank to help keep the water in the tank hot. you can often buy additional insulation made specifically to wrap around you water heater tank.

Also they make tank-less hot water heaters, these don't have a tank that stores the hot water, but rather a heating coil the water flows through to heat it up when you need it, they are often much smaller, but do have some drawbacks.

They also make electric hybrid systems, these are a combination of tank style & tank-less coil style, they often have a small storage tank and the heating coils used in tank-less water heater, (I think they are small but very expensive)