I don't think my hot water heater works...

Lessons Learned Take Two:

About two or three weeks ago, we conducted an energy audit at a home on Coral Way close to 37th Avenue. It was a condominium apartment about 800 sqft., 1 Br/1Ba on the 10th floor. They had a nice view facing north and can see much of the county over the horizon -- a 180-degree view-point. That's a definite advantage over a single-family home.

The homeowners, David & Taby, were happy to see us arrive wielding our high-tech equipment to test their home. We exchanged pleasantries and quickly began work. When we asked for the location of the air handler to get the info on it, the response on the location came from David. And Taby followed with a comment about the hot water heater being located in the same location adding that she doesn't think it works well. David responded saying it's fairly new so, nothing should be wrong with it. Taby then wanted to see what we had to say about it.

So, I asked her: "What issues were she facing?" She said her problem with the hot water heater was that it would not heat adequately when she was washing her hair. She stated further that after about 5 or so minutes the water would lose its heat. She estimates it takes her about 15 minutes to complete the job. Anyhow, David chimed in saying that a co-worker told him about instantaneous hot water heaters and proceeded to talk about how he could use it, etc. He suggested that this change may do the trick and shared the insight that his co-worker told him in how it would affect electric usage. I took it all in but I wanted to investigate it further. The reason can be read by a recent post.

After recording the specs on the hot water heater, I saw that it wasn't that old as David had said. And after close inspection I didn't see anything wrong with it. So, I wanted to find out more. I checked and found the distance from the hot water heater was less than 10 feet. And they don't typically run the washer or the dishwasher during a shower. So, why is it that the 30-gallon hot water heater fails to produce enough hot water for a hair wash?

They were intrigued by our investigation. Everyone piqued, trying to find out what the problem was. There shouldn't be any problem if the hot water heater is working properly. Anyhow, the heater is located under the air handler in a closet next to the front door in the hallway. The hallway is air conditioned and the closet door isn't sealed. So, some of the heat from the tank could be lost to the ambient cold air. But that doesn't explain away the ineffective system. All along, I knew what the likely problem was, but I wanted to include them in the investigation so they can learn from the experience.

We went into the bathroom and I looked at the showerhead and I couldn't find any visible ratings on it but I deduced that it may have a flow-rate of about 5 gallons per minute (gpm) based on what was mentioned earlier. Quickly calculating a 5 gpm flow-rate for a 30-gallon tank means that hot water (or lukewarm due to heat loss) stored in the tank means they have about 6 minutes of hot water available to them. They were astounded by the simplicity in the underlying cause of the problem. Neither would have known what the problem was and could have spent money fixing a perceived problem only to create another problem. This mis-application would have cost them more money:

A Titan N-10 tankless model would have cost them about $250 plus shipping, the install and the increased electric usage. All told, we estimated that they could have spent about $1500. When they could spend less than $250 to change the shower head and wrap the hot water with a thermal blanket. Purchasing a 2 gpm shower head would give her the 15 minute heated water. The thermal blanket can keep it hotter longer so that mixing could further add longevity to the shower.

Lesson Learned:

Sometimes advice can lead to wrong results even if it was well meant. This was simply a well meant shortcoming. Your best bet is to hire a pro -- they have the experience and training to look for these things. ;-) Besides, they are well oriented in energy efficient principles. "One man's cure can be another man's curse."

Lessons Learned from Energy Audits

Lessons Learned Take One:

I haven't spoken to anyone who doesn't know much about energy efficiency. Most of the folks I've spoken to have had some exposure to the topic of energy efficiency, whether it was from their own projects, someone else's, the internet, their own research, or even the media.

Interestingly, I'm always asked for opinions on different approaches and techniques, etc. But a recurring trend I noticed is that they speak about energy efficiency from the perspective of their own experience and try to relate it to someone else's predicament. I've found that this comes up short because that person doesn't understand how to apply the principles of energy efficiency to someone else's home. They only understand it from their home and think it should apply to someone else's home just the same.

For example, I heard from someone who talked about how a friend of theirs added an instantaneous hot water heater in their home and reduced their electric bill by about $40. He said that that friend encouraged him to do the same to help save money too. So, he set out to do the same but found that this change had the opposite effect. It increased his electric bill by about $95 and he was quite discouraged by the results. After discussing both scenarios, his friend's household and his household, I saw distinct differences in their household needs and that was only the beginning. I will spare you further details. But, needless to say, he walked away from the conversation understanding what needed to be done in order to get a better outcome and he was going to have to spend more money.

I'll leave this story here. But I will write more detailed accounts following this post. Stay tuned! ;-)

State of Florida
NEWS RELEASE
3/4/2008
Contact: 850-413-6482

Florida Public Service Commission Approves Net Metering and Interconnection Rule

TALLAHASSEE — Florida’s Public Service Commission (PSC) today ratified its December 18, 2007 decision on a rule addressing net metering and expedited interconnection standards. The Commission considered comments received from participants in the rulemaking proceeding but made no changes to the rule.

The net metering rule is intended to promote the development and interconnection of customer-owned renewable generation, and minimize costs for customers attempting to interconnect to their utility. It encourages the development of renewable generation by: (1) expanding the size of eligible systems from 10 kW to 2 MW; (2) expanding the type of eligible systems from solely photovoltaic to all renewable technologies; (3) expediting the interconnection of customer-owned renewable generation; and (4) allowing customers to offset consumption through net metering.

“This rule is expected to increase the development of renewable generation in Florida, which will enhance fuel diversity and reliability,” said PSC Chairman Matthew M. Carter II. “Customer-owned renewable generation also effectively acts as a conservation measure by reducing the amount of electricity purchased from utilities.”

The PSC is committed to making sure that Florida's consumers receive their electric, natural gas, telephone, water, and wastewater services in a safe, affordable, and reliable manner. The PSC exercises regulatory authority over utilities in the areas of rate base/economic regulation; competitive market oversight; and monitors safety, reliability, and service.

For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.

Also of interest is: South Florida Business Journal Article - click here

Florida Power and Light - Sun Funds Solar-Electric (PV) Rebate Program

Summary:

The Florida Power and Light (FPL) Sun Funds program offers rebates to its residential customers of $1.50 per watt for photovoltaic (PV) systems installed after December 1, 2007. Sun Funds are available on a first come, first served basis and will be distributed until 100 kilowatts (kW) of new solar electric capacity is awarded. Applicants must purchase and install the PV system through a certified licensed solar electric contractor. To be eligible for the rebate, the applicant must first qualify for state rebates* offered by the Florida Energy Office (FEO). A completed application may be submitted to FPL Sun Funds anytime after purchasing a PV system, but no later than 30 days after receiving a state rebate. Sun Funds rebates will be issued to qualified applicants upon confirmation that their application for a state rebate has been accepted by FEO, and as long as Sun Funds money is still available. See the program website for more information.

Incentive Type: Utility Rebate Program

Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: Photovoltaics

Applicable Sectors: Residential, Multi-Family Residential, Low-Income Residential

Incentive Amount: $1.50 per installed watt

Eligible System Size: 2 kW to 7 kW

Equipment Requirements: All solar energy systems sold in Florida are required by Florida law (FS 377.705) to be approved by the Florida Solar Energy Center

Installation Requirements: Must be installed by a licensed master electrician or state-licensed electrical or solar contractor

Program Budget: $150,000

Ownership of Renewable Energy Credits: Remains with system owner

Website: http://www.fplsunshineenergy.com/sunfunds/program.shtml