A reminder that there is a 30% upto $1500 Federal Tax Credit on Qualifying Gas, Oil, Propane Water Heaters as well as Electric Heat Pump Water Heater and Solar Water Heaters through 12/31/2010. If your water heater is on its last legs, you might as well upgrade now and save some money. New water heaters require less energy and time to heat water. Reduce waiting time between showers and doing laundry.

Gas, Oil, Propane Water Heaters must have Energy Factor >= 0.82 or a thermal efficiency of at least 90%.  Newer Hybrid water heaters are also available.

Consider an on demand Tankless Water Heater if your situation allows for it.  They need ready access to a good size gas pipe and exhaust vent for many models.

Electric Heat Pump Water Heater requirements are the same as ENERGY STAR: Energy Factor >= 2.0.

Solar Water Heaters are covered if at least half of the energy generated comes from the sun and the system is certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC).

AO Smith makes the Vertex 100 water heater that is very efficient but requires PVC pipe venting not normal metal venting. Also consider installing radiant floor heating instead of using a gas furnace as these newer water heaters support radiant heating.

This credit reduces the amount of tax you owe for 2009. The credit is a reduction of total income tax at the bottom of your return, up to $1500. This tax credit is a non-refundable tax credit. Consult your tax adviser for details. Use it or lose it!

Products must have been purchased between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010.  Solar water heater purchases are covered through 2016.

The tax credit is an aggregate, i.e., the total $1500 can include other energy efficient items. For instance, if a consumer claims $900 on a new stove, then he will have $600 to purchase additional energy saving products in the same tax year.

If a taxpayer uses the entire $1500 tax credit on a competing product then they cannot use it for a biomass stove in that same tax year.

$1500 seems like the total credit for both 2009 and 2010 combined. Beware that those affected by the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) in 2010 may not qualify for the rebate unless Congress passes an AMT patch.

Double dip! Local utilities like PGE have their own rebates for Energy Efficient Appliances purchased in 2009.  PGE has a $30 rebate for energy efficient water heaters. Gas water heaters with Energy Factor 0.62 or greater or Electric ones with Energy  Factor 0.93 or greater.

Note: It is difficult to find larger sized water heaters with Energy Factor’s this high.

Be sure to check out our reduce water heater use, water saving tips and ways to save energy.

We all have heard of traces of drugs in the water system. It is time to make sure no one contributes to this any more by flushing expired or unused medicine down the drain. Wastewater treatment facilities aren’t designed to remove pharmaceuticals but someday may need to be.

Many local police departments take medicine waste as do many pharmacies.

FDA has some guidelines, some of which seem outdated.

NoDrugsDownTheDrain.org has a locator to help you find places to properly dispose of medicine.

Chemicals from medicines have been even measured in water from sewage treatment plants.  Our waste has traces of these chemicals and chemicals from cosmetics wash off from our skin as we shower.  This will be hopefully someday addressed.

Here are a couple easy ways to reduce the amount of energy your water heater uses:

1) Lower the setting so that water is heated to about 110-120 degrees. Many are set to 140 or higher.

2) Wrap the water heater in an insulating thermal blanket. Cost about $10. Possible savings of 4-9% on your water heating bill. Also insulate the hot water pipe, cost about $2 per foot.

3) Use less hot water.  Take faster showers and use low flow showerheads and faucet aerators to save water.

4) If you are in earthquake territory, strap your water heater to the wall and install flexible hoses.

5) Wash your hands with cold water. Hot water hasn’t been proven to remove germs better.

Consider a tankless water heater when replacing a water heater. These new models heat water on demand, not continuously.  They have Energy Factor (EF) ratings of about 0.80. They are not for everyone, I was unable to use one because of the gas pipe and exhaust requirements.

Alternately you could replace your water heater with a modern more efficient unit.  Natural Gas models have up to 0.67 Energy Factor (EF) ratings now. Modern electric ones have a 0.93 Energy Factor.

A Tankless Water heater produces hot water as hot water is requested.  Traditional water heaters have large tanks to store and heat water, so they continually have to keep the water heated.

A Tankless Water heater uses electricity or gas to quickly heat water that is needed.  Different units are capable of product hot water at different rates. Gas units generally perform better.  Large units or multiple units are required if you need to have say a kitchen sink, shower, and other things operating at the same time. Savings up to 30% can be realized.

everun even makes a stylish tankless water heater that you need not hide. They cost from $200 to $1200.

Some key items to look for are electrical or gas needs of the unit, and venting requirements. Many gas units require a certain size of gas inlet and exhaust vent size.  I found these requirement prohibitive in my installation attempt.  Electric tankless do not require expensive vent piping.

Climate is also a factor. Those living in very cold areas with water barely above freezing in the winter should think twice before going tankless.

Federal tax credits of up to $1500 are available.

Be sure to also consider a Hybrid Water Heater or an Energy Efficient water heater.

Reduce Water Heater Energy Use on your present water heater.

See Drought Tolerant Plants, Xeriscaping, Saving Water in Garden

Lawns use 50-80% of  a household’s water. That amounts to a lot of money every year!   Here are some tips to save on water. Keeping a green lawn takes a lot of care.

• Ditch the lawn or replace it with artificial turf.
• Flowers use less water than grass.  Pathways use no water.
• Mulch in gardens prevents soil erosion, helps keep moisture in the soil, and keeps weeds away.