August 11th, 2009 10:32 AM

You've probably already heard that tankless water heaters are a great way to save space, conserve water and reduce energy consumption. But using a propane tankless water heater instead of electric takes an extra step toward green goodness. The propane version is ENERGY STAR-certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, but the electric model is not.

In fact, a propane tankless water heater produces 63 percent less in carbon emissions than an electric tankless version. And if you make the switch to a propane tankless water heater from a regular electric tank-style model, the difference is even more significant — your carbon footprint shrinks as much as if you'd switched from a typical mid-size sedan to a Toyota Prius.

The Facts About Tankless Heaters

The idea behind a tankless water heater is simple:

• Water is heated on demand via a unit installed near the point of use instead of heated and stored in a big tank.

• You save energy because you don't have to keep a large quantity of water hot while you're waiting to use it, and you conserve water because you don't have to run the faucet while you wait for heated water to travel through the pipes.

• In times of heavy use, you'll never run out of hot water!

• Over time, the cost of installation can be recouped through utility bill savings, particularly if you don't use hot water in huge volumes. Tankless water heaters reduce standby energy loss by up to 20 percent compared to storage water heaters, and they cost approximately 60 percent less to operate.

• Because a tankless water heater is less prone to corrosion, the lifespan of the heater is about 20 years, or twice as long as a storage water heater.

You may also qualify for energy rebates or tax credits by installing a propane tankless water heater. See if your state offers a rebate and view the latest federal tax incentives

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