is a self-help
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| Waterheatertimer.org is a self-help
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Figure volts amps watts for water heater | 9 Ways to save with a water heater | Do-it-yourself |
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| Whirlpool
Energy Smart electric water heater Features + comparison with ordinary electric water heater |
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 See
larger image |
 Estimated yearly operating cost: Regular 40 Gallon, 4500 Watt = $508 Energy Smart 40 Gallon, 4500 Watt = $492 Achieve savings using 4 different Energy Smart modes shown below. |
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 Energy Smart Self-Diagnostic Control System |
Energy Smart control
options located on top of water heater. Change setting as
needed. Advantage is easy access
instead
of removing covers on side of tank to adjust thermostats or
reset ECO. Temperature control: When guest arrive, rotate temperature knob so more hot water is available. On wash day, set temperature to 135°. 4 operating modes: > For vacation, turn knob to setting 4. Vacation sets temperature to 50° and prevents freezing in winter. > For peak electric prices, choose setting 3 and amount of available hot water is reduced. > If fewer people are home, choose setting 2. > Or choose setting 1 and let computer chip maximize efficiency based on pattern of hot water use. Reset button is located on top of tank. Reset cuts power to heater when temperature is higher than 170° F or when error condition is detected. Wait 10 minutes before resetting while software assess problem. Green indicator light is 'on' when unit has power. |
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 A simple electric meter on each appliance would be a consumer wow. How to wire off-peak thermostats in regular water heater. |
Self-diagnostic
control diagnoses problems and simplifies troubleshooting. Blinking
light code shows on control box. Recent articles say Whirlpool is making products smart-grid-ready by 2014. Future Energy Smart electric water heaters will connect to 'off-peak' electric meter by 2014. Off peak operation in other water heaters means upper element keeps top 2/3 of tank warm, while lower element remains off. Amount of hot water is reduced during peak electric prices. Energy Smart setting 3 operates in off-peak manner so less hot water is available. The rapidly-evolving international smart-grid has software and appliance companies vying for best innovation. A simple electric meter on each appliance would be a consumer wow, and studies show that information reduces consumption read, but transparency would end Energy Star assertions that huge appliances and huge homes save energy. Smart-grid* aims to stabilize price and production in daily electric market by letting each meter & appliance respond to demand. Accepting a smart meter is accepting peak pricing. Public belief that everybody's price will drop, means electric company revenues would fall. Who expects utility revenues to fall after installing a meter that lets them charge more? |
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Photo
shows electronic
control board.
Do not operate water heater if control
board, elements or heat sensors get wet. All electric water heaters
carry risk of electric shock after flood or when tank is leaking. Turn
off circuit breaker and call plumber. 240V power connects to red and black wires at top of control box. 30 amp, 240V breaker and 10 gauge wire required for connection. Green ground screw sits out of sight in this photo and threads into metal top of tank. Blue and Yellow wires send power to upper element. Blue and Orange wires send power to lower element. Label on side of tank shows each element is 4500 Watts, and overall tank wattage is 4500 Watts. This information means tank operates in typical 'non-simultaneous' manner where both elements are not 'on' at same time. One element is 'on' or the other element is 'on,' or both elements are off. Small black and red wires located on bottom left of control board connect to temperature sensors located above each element. Temperature information is processed by control software that turns heating elements on and off. |
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After removing two screws holding access
door, and pulling back tight-fitting 2" foam insulation and plastic
cover, the upper
element was visible. The plastic cover acts as electrical insulator for 240 volt, 10 gauge wires and terminals. Manual says that operating water heater "without insulation and access doors will result in much higher water temperatures than desired set point." See Whirlpool product manual for more maintenance/ installation information. |
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Lower
element was also covered by thick 2" foam insulation and
plastic cover. |
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Upper and lower elements
can be replaced.
Manual says "make sure replacement element has correct voltage and
wattage rating" Whirlpool Energy Smart elements for 40 gallon are 240
Volts and 4500
Watts. Element information printed on end of each element. Typical
replacement elements available at
hardware and home center. Temperature Sensor can be ordered as repair part. Phone call to Whirlpool parts sales was handled in United States, and sales lady said she replaced sensor during training, and added that she is 'not mechanical at all.' TP valve is located on side of tank. Additional 3/4 plug on top of tank for relocation of TP. Check your manual since models vary. Plug on top of tank allows easy adaptation when replacing water heater. |
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Figure 9 shows location of element wiring and heat /temperature sensor Repair parts: Appliance manufacturers are adding more non-standard parts to water heaters. Non-standard parts increase sales for manufacturer, but cause delays and expense for customer. You might not have hot water until part arrives. Off-the-shelf thermostat for regular water heater costs $15. Energy Smart temperature sensor $37. |
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| Technical data | |||
Hard-water WITH water-softener Efficiency of gas and electric water heaters is unchanged over time when hard water is softened, however softened water corrodes anode rod and will reduce life of water heater unless anode rod inspected and replaced every 2 years. Once anode rod is 50-75% corroded, water heater tank begins to rust. Read more & See how to replace anode rod Hard-water with NO water-softener: > Efficiency of gas heater drops 6-8% after two years > cleaning tank of sediment build-up will not restore full efficiency > however, regular flushing to prevent sediment maintains efficiency > Tankless gas heater will fail when pressure sensor clogs with sediment within 2-3 years depending on hardness of water > regular de-liming will not restore efficiency > softener is required > Efficiency of electric heater stays at 99% until sediment reaches bottom element > cleaning tank restores full efficiency > regular flushing to prevent sediment build-up also maintains efficiency > Energy Smart electric water heater operates at 99% efficiency with or without water-softener Water-softener reduces life of anode rod in gas and electric water heaters Energy Smart manual says: "Artificially softened water is exceedingly corrosive because the process substitutes sodium ions for magnesium and calcium ions. The use of water softener may decrease life of water heater tank." Whirlpool '6-year' Energy Smart electric water heater has 1 anode rod with access at top of tank. Generally, tanks with longer warranties come with 2 anode rods. Read pdf: water-softener/water-heater efficiency comparison |
Water heater recovery:
See chart Electric water heater recovery is 21 gallons per hour Gas water heater recovery is 40 gallons per hour High-demand gas water heaters recover 80-130 gallons per hour. Tankless gas heaters promise unlimited hot water, but correct size and installation required. Whirlpool Energy Smart recovery is 21 gallons per hour on setting 1, and less on energy-saving settings 2 thru 4 Water heater recovery depends on variables including: incoming water temperature, thermostat setting, element wattage, tank insulation, and age/efficiency of heating unit. Water heater efficiency: Electric water heaters operate at 99% efficiency Gas water heaters operate at 69% efficiency Tankless gas heaters operate at 80% efficiency High-efficiency gas heaters at 96% efficiency Energy Smart electric operates at 99% efficiency |
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| See how electric water heater works Read PG&E pdf: water heater carbon footprint |
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>*Smart
grid issues to
consider: Agreeing to smart meter is agreement with peak pricing or dynamic pricing. This is not lower prices. Every smart meter customer expects to save money, but then utility company revenues will fall after installing a meter that lets them charge more. Who expects revenues to fall after after customers agree to peak pricing? Smart meters are manufactured in China by companies that pay no US tax. These imported meters replace local workers. The stated goal of smart grid is to tie your meter to peak pricing. Your meter peaks just as you arrive home from work and adjust heat/air, turn on lights, shower, cook food, and turn on TV. The smart meter costs each customer $500. This cost is revealed. To build out the smart grid is estimated to cost each customer $1500 more. Add to that expense above is the long term cost of operating cell towers, web servers, and software development and updates. The expertise and software is owned and controlled by companies who expect monthly contracts forecast to be worth billions, and whose services are located offshore. The long-term cost of build-out and maintenance of smart grid is not discussed, and is probably larger than having your meter read 4 times a year by local workers. Electric companies promise websites with consumer information. Consumers believe that peak usage will be handled via the smart meter without signing up at utility websites. However customers are demanding opt-out. Opt-out will ultimately mean that power will never be cut to rich people, while power cuts will fall heaviest on the less fortunate, yet everybody's job is dependent on electricity, which means the less fortunate will have less opportunity against the rich. Add to this the fact that increased electric production is not part of the grid plan. If consumers are required to make electric choices at the electric company website, they are at great disadvantage since the website controls the power, sets rates, knows who you are, and knows personal consumption patterns, the same patterns that dictate your rate. Taxpayer-funded stimulus Read about plus electric rate surcharges in Europe and the US are paying for new smart meters. The meters are imported from China. They replace local workers. Read The new meters add value to electric companies by laying off local workers, and launching built-in acceptance of dynamic pricing [higher bills]. These actions make electric companies more valuable to investors. Where is the guaranteed benefit for taxpayers and rate payers who are funding the added industry value? Read In Britain, Hong Kong investor outbids Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (and others) for ownership of electric-supply assets serving 8 million British households (bid held open until Oct 2010). Once your smart meter is installed, who owns the switch controlling that meter? Read |
