Inside Consumer Reports Test Labs: Solar water heaters update

When we published initial results from the testing of solar water heaters, we knew the analysis was a work in progress. For instance, when the October 2009 issue of Consumer Reports went to press, some data from the hottest months of the year were missing. And one of the key deciding factors in buying a solar water heater—how much money it can save you—tends to change like, well, the weather. Here's an update on our testing of the solar water heaters installed on the roof of our Yonkers, New York, headquarters:

Second panel boosts savings. When we added a second panel to the $6,000 Heliodyne 50180 system—a move that gave this model Energy Star qualification—we saw a definite jump in the percent savings from the 32 percent we reported, even during a period with unseasonably cool weather. Still, the $1,500 extra you might pay for this two-panel system could result in a longer payback period even considering whatever state tax credits you can get on top of the 30 percent federal credit. Read "Energy Tax Credits at a Glance" for more information.

A newcomer shows promise. An Eagle Sun model, $6,000 to $9,000 installed, is the newest system on the roof. While the model is rated by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation to supply 70 percent of the energy needed to heat the water for a two- to four-person household, we won't have enough data to report on until sometime next year. Still, the expected savings from the Eagle Sun are much higher than those of the first solar-thermal systems we installed. (The photo shows Senior Lab Technician Eric Hado (left) and Senior Project Leader David Trezza installing the Eagle Sun system on our roof.)

Higher savings are achieved. Installing the Hot₂O Solar Hot Water System by Fafco, a do-it-yourself system (we recommend pro installation), cost us $2,200. But the company has updated its installation instructions. After we modified the setup, which included insulating the hot-water tank, the average savings climbed from about 29 percent to roughly 42 percent.

Performance stays consistent. We took the Rheem RS47-21BP, $5,000 to $6,200 installed, out of service to make room for the newer systems, but until the day we removed it in mid-September, its average savings remained at the roughly 32 percent we first reported. And the SunMaxx 3570 (PDF), $5,500 to $7,000, is maintaining the same 23 percent savings we saw in the system's first weeks in place; its single array of tubes is roughly equivalent to a single flat panel in terms of performance.

As we move into fall and then winter, we'll see whether evacuated-tube systems like the SunMaxx really perform better and save more money than flat-panel designs in cold weather.—Ed Perratore | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: If you're considering a solar water heater, read our recent report on alternative energy (specifics on solar water heaters are available to subscribers). The American Solar Energy Society kicked off its 14th annual National Solar Tour on October 3. To find a related event in your state, visit this page. If a solar water heater isn't for you, check out our coverage of tankless water heaters.

Forum Friday: Gas furnaces, pellet stoves, and solar water heaters

As another fall approaches, members are sharing more and more ways to reduce heating bills. Here are some forum postings related to the energy-saving features in our October 2009 issue.

Which gas furnace to buy? With 409 posts, this is the busiest discussion in our Heating and Cooling forum. The posters' real-world experiences with popular brands of gas furnaces like Rheem, Trane, American Standard, Ruud, and York can help you find an cost-effective, efficient and reliable model. We’ve also got buying advice, tips for choosing a contractor, and reliability ratings for top brands. And keep in mind that furnaces with an energy-efficiency rating above 90 qualify for a 30 percent federal tax credit.

Pros, cons, and costs of pellet-stoves. “We know that oil, propane and natural gas prices are going to continue to go up in the future with no end in sight, so maybe burning wood pellets or corn is the way to go,” one poster posited. Our just-published report and ratings on pellet stoves (and overview on all wood-burning stoves) details their acquisition and operating costs; we've also started a pellet-stove discussion where you can weigh in on the subject.

Solar water heater test update. “We have been looking at solar-assisted, gas-fired tankless, and other water heater designs in an attempt to cut down energy usage of all appliances that use heated water," wrote one contributor. We're happy to offer results to date of our testing of popular solar water heaters, which like pellet stoves, now have their own dedicated discussion.

Essential information: Our Energy Saving & Green Living guide has more information on the tactics, technologies, and tax incentives that can help cut your heating, cooling, electricity and water bills.

Weekend Project: Even as summer enters final weeks, save by taking advantage of cooling incentives

Cool roofs are a hot item, with no less an advocate than Energy Secretary Steven Chu promoting their potential to save energy during an appearance on The Daily Show With Jon Stewart. And while the U.S. Department of Energy is lacking in some ways when it comes to reducing energy use, the United States Postal Service has unveiled a new green roof (shown) atop its 2.2 million square foot mail-processing facility on Manhattan's West Side.

While such a project is too ambitious for your home, you should take advantage of the plentiful federal, state, and utility incentives for air conditioning and other improvements and equipment that will help you reduce your cooling and heating costs. (Read "Cash for Clunkers Moves to Appliances. Money Back for Your Old Kelvinator?" for details on the federal government's $300 million State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program.)

Air Conditioner Tune-Ups
There are several state and local utility incentives for central-air systems. Rocky Mountain Power and the Long Island Power Authority provide $100 rebates for tuning up central-air-conditioning systems.

Duct Insulation
As much as 30 to 40 percent of your cooling energy can be lost through leaks or when uninsulated ducts pass through uncooled spaces like the attic and garage. "Its certainly reduces the impact of a very efficient central-air unit if your ducts are leaking like a sieve and you have inadequate attic insulation," says Ed Clark, director of communications for Austin, Texas-based Austin Energy. That utility is offering rebates for duct-system performance testing, sealing, replacement, and insulation.

Programmable Thermostats
Today's best programmable thermostats can help you cut heating and cooling costs by up to 20 percent. Utilities in 34 states offer rebates of up to $70 for programmable thermostats—enough to cover the entire purchase price of seven of the 10 recommended models in our ratings (available to subscribers).

Whole-House and Ceiling Fans
California's Sacramento Municipal Utility District offers a $100 rebate on a whole-house fan system. These work by pulling in cool air from open windows and exhausting hot air from vents in the upper part of the home. Pasadena Water & Power will give its customers a $50 rebate on a ceiling fan, provided it's outfitted with an energy-saving compact fluorescent lightbulb and you buy it from a local retailer.

Weatherization Projects
Weatherization products such as energy-efficient windows, insulation, and doors can qualify for a federal tax credit of 30 percent of the cost, up to a $1,500 maxiumum. California's Alameda Municipal Power will pay up to 80 percent of caulking, weather stripping, and building insulation costs. National Grid offers customers in Massachusetts a 75 percent reimbursement up to $2,000 for similar improvements. The Orlando Utility Commission offers a $1-per-square-foot rebate on Energy Star-qualified windows and a $100 rebate for installing window film. Note that payback for your investment in these types of projects can be much longer than it is for other improvements you'll make.—Gian Trotta | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: See our maintenance checklist for air-conditioning systems and learn how to add a ceiling fan. Our latest report on cooling (available to subscribers) provides details on window, portable, split-ductless, and central air conditioning.

By the Numbers: GE hiring new employees to build water heaters in Louisville, Kentucky

400

Approximate number of jobs GE plans to fill to build hybrid water heaters. (The GE Hybrid Electric Water Heater is shown.)

In May 2008, we told you about a decision by General Electric to sell its GE Appliances division. Just over a year later, that GE division is adding employees, according to this story in The Wall Street Journal, which also noted that GE is unveiling LED products and is investing in research on organic LEDs, or OLEDs. (Read our "10 Questions for . . . " interview with Ed Hammer, who invented the compact fluorescent lightbulb in 1975 while working for GE Lighting.)

"We made the decision to build these products in Louisville because of the strong support from our state and local governments and the cooperative spirit of our Union leadership and our employees at Appliance Park," said James Campbell, president and CEO of GE Consumer & Industrial President. Read more on GE's Appliance Park in this item on the Appliance Talk blog. e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Find out whether a tankless water heater is a worthwhile investment. And look for our new report on CFLs and lighting in the October 2009 issue of Consumer Reports.

August 2009 Showerhead Report: In test results, not all flows are a go

The recession has put a pinch on bathroom remodels, but you can still get an attractive makeover on a budget with these sub-$1,000 makeovers. (Some reports below are available to subscribers.)

Our "Top Kitchen & Bath Values" special adds another trick: Switch out your old showerhead for a new, water-efficient model. (Find out whether you should take a bath or a shower to maximize water savings.)

Ten of the 18 models in our latest report on showerheads use less than the federal maximum flow rate of 2.5 gallons per minute; all meet the federal limit. But our panel of eight male and female testers, who together logged 269 showers between them, found only one model that could produce an invigorating spray. That’s an important point, as too weak a stream might result in longer, water-wasting showers.

Some tested showerheads aerate the spray to make it feel more substantial, but we found water temperatures dropped from 5° to 15°F from the time the water left the showerhead to the time it hit our bathers’ backs.

Our tested showerheads ranged from $20 to $190 in price; most are a DIY installation. We also tested three shower towers whose fixed sprays and handheld showerhead can turn a basic bath into a spa-ike retreat.

Before you buy a new showerhead, check your local ordinances for any water-use restrictions. You can also use our water-heater calculator to make sure your current heater, be it a conventional storage-tank or a tankless model, can handle the new flow requirements.

Another way to cut your water bill is to install a water-saving toilet. But as with showerheads, our latest report on toilets revealed only a few models that can save water without compromising performance.—Gian Trotta | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Share your own experiences with your showerhead, shower tower, or toilet in the bathroom-fixtures topic of our newly redesigned forums. It’s worth a visit just to read these water-saving tips from a poster who claims to be an alien from a much greener planet.

Physicist: Boost federal tax credit for solar water heaters

Even as the economic news grows gloomier, some energy experts see solar water heaters as a bright spot on the horizon.

In his "Here Comes the Sun Shower" opinion piece in Tuesday's New York Times, Larry Hunter, a professor of physics at Amherst College, urged the Obama administration to support the use of residential solar water heaters. Hunter suggested that a $10,000 solar water heater could pay for itself in as few as six years if the government were to raise the federal tax credits from 30 percent to 40 or 50 percent.

Essential information: Read our report on tankless water heaters, another way to potentially save energy when heating water.

Solar water heaters are hot in Israel

Israel is holding its parliamentary elections today, and in a country that's so concerned about energy, it's not a surprise that two environmental groups—the Green Party and the combined Green Movement—Meimad—are among the 34 parties vying for spots in the 120-seat Knesset.

I saw firsthand how significant energy-use matters are to Israel during an August 2008 trip. For example, all the hotel rooms we stayed in were equipped with motion sensors on the lights or required us to plug the access key card into a slot to turn on the TV or air conditioner. This last gizmo also prevented us from leaving either running when we headed out for the day.

But what I noticed most about Israelis' alternative-energy efforts were the rooftop solar water heaters all over the country. Whether I was in the Old City of Jerusalem or in hustle-and-bustle modern-day Tel Aviv, these solar water heaters, required for new residential construction for many years, were everywhere—it was the rare residential building that lacked them. (The photo above was taken in Jerusalem.) In an anachronistic touch in a 16th-century synagogue in Safed, I also saw old lighting fixtures fitted with compact fluorescent lightbulbs (right).

It's not a given that Israel's green parties will claim any Knesset seats, but it's clear that with the widespread use of solar water heaters, Israelis have made some significant steps toward saving energy.—Steven H. Saltzman

Essential information: We'll be testing residential solar water heaters for an upcoming story on these appliances. If you're considering installing a tankless water heater, read our latest report.

International Builders’ Show Product Preview: GE Hybrid Electric Water Heater

Heating water for showers, loads of laundry and dishes, and other household needs can account for up to 25 percent of the average home’s total energy cost, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. GE hopes that figure will persuade homeowners to upgrade from a conventional electric storage-tank water heater to its new heat-pump water heater, expected out in the fourth quarter of 2009. Heat-pump water heaters are common in Japan, but GE's 50-gallon Hybrid Electric Water Heater represents the only U.S. version from a major manufacturer.

In heat-pump technology, heat is transferred from the air to water stored in an insulated tank.(The GE unit will also retain some traditional electrical heating elements, which will kick in when needed.) GE claims this new appliance will use 2,300 kilowatt hours annually, about half that of a standard electric water heater. Those savings could help defray its cost, which at $1,200 to $1,500 is several times that of a storage-tank unit.

GE says the new water heater will use the same electrical and water connections as a standard electric storage-tank unit, though the unit is taller.—Daniel DiClerico

Essential information: Learn the proper way to size a water heater and read our report on tankless water heaters.

International Builders' Show Product Preview: Quadra-Fire Edge 60 Pellet-Burning Fireplace

Looking to stay warm without burning through piles of cash? We've offered lots of coverage, from basic tips to detailed reports on compact fluorescent lightbulbs, programmable thermostats, space heaters, tankless water heaters, and windows. Pellet- and wood-burning stoves have become extremely popular in recent years, and manufacturers have targeted consumers eager to lower their annual heating bills.

Quadra-Fire has introduced the Edge 60 pellet-burning fireplace, which it says can burn wood, grass, corn, or wheat pellets. Its hopper will hold 120 pounds of pellets, enough for about 7 days of operation, according to the manufacturer. It's equipped with a programmable thermostat that's designed to regulate heat output. Likewise, an automatic self-cleaning feature is supposed to relieve you of some maintenance chores. At $6,000 to $7,200 without installation, the Edge 60 is pricey for a supplemental heat source.

Look for our report and wood and pellet stoves next fall.—Celia Kuperszmid Lehrman

What's on your mind: Our most popular blog posts of 2008

Before we get too far into 2009, we thought we'd look back at the most popular posts on the Home & Garden blog from 2008. The 10 blogs below generated the most buzz last year.

Inside CR Test Labs: Sewing machines
This sneak peak at our March 2009 report on sewing machines (shown) generated quite a thread in the comment box. Around 150 readers chimed in, including the commenter who implored, "please don't lump in embroidery machines with general sewing machines." Roger that, as you'll see in the full report, coming in the upcoming story, whose issue is on sale and online in February.

Own a tankless water heater? Take our survey
Some 1,200 readers answered that call (another 100 commented directly to the item). The results of the online survey informed our October 2008 report on tankless water heaters, in which we revealed significant variations in installation costs, energy savings, and overall satisfaction.

Mold can be a problem for some front-loading washers
Here, we reported on the buildup of mold that many readers told us was occurring in the rubber gasket of the door to their front-loading washer. Sixty commenters jumped into the issue, some supporting the claim with tales of foul-smelling clothes, others reporting no complaints with their front-loading washing machine.

Why Consumer Reports doesn't rate specific models of mattresses
Not everyone rested easy with our explanation of why we don't rate mattress models. Wrote one commenter: "I subscribed to CR specifically for a mattress report and instead get a report on why you don't do a mattress report." Visit our new mattress product page for more details on mattress shopping.

Buying Advice: Portable air conditioners
Cooling the air was obviously hot on readers' minds when this blog posted on June 20. Our take on portable air conditioners is lukewarm at best—not only do they deliver less relief than manufacturers claim but the units also tend to be pricey.

Greener cleaners go mainstream
The launch of a line of natural cleaners from Clorox prompted this March 24 post.

Buyer's guide to pellet- and wood-burning stoves
Surging home-heating costs in recent years has fueled interest in alternative ways to keep warm during the winter. Hence the flurry of comments to this buying guide. In fact, there's been so much interest that we're now planning a testing-based report on these products.

Buzzword: Radon
Of all our 2008 Buzzwords, none resulted in as many comments as this entry on radon. Several weeks later, The New York Times ran a story covering concerns about radon in countertops, raising the buzz again.

Tip of the Day: Don't get ripped off by an alarm company
Dozens of readers responded to this blog with their own experiences with alarm companies, crooked and credible alike. One unlucky homeowner tells how she was swindled out of $360.

Are EdenPure space heaters just a lot of hot air?
That question spurred significant interest from readers. Some defended their EdenPure space heater, others didn't recommend these appliances. Read our report on space heaters for more information.—Daniel DiClerico