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Off Peak Hot Water Explained
Off-peak hot water refers to a water heater that switches to using off-peak electricity during peak hours. This means the hot water will be delivered from the tank or line throughout a building on an as-needed basis, even if there is no way for the customer to turn it off (like in public buildings).
Usually, electricity usage increases because more people need it to run their appliances. But because you could use the hot water while other customers are paying high prices for current usage, those who use off-peak units save money.
Simply put, off-peak hot water means that your water system heats water when fewer people are also heating water. This way, you pay less for heating costs since you're not using a hot water heater when everyone else is. Read on to learn more about how off-peak hot water works, the pros and cons, and how to get one installed in your home.
Why You Need Off-Peak Hot Water
Washing clothes, dishes, and showering
If you forget to turn on your electric hot water system, you're stuck with cold showers, scalding water for dishes and pans, and a dunking machine for your clothes. An off-peak system will ensure that everything stays warm, but you won't have to pay extra for that warmth.
It's flexible
If you miss out on using off-peak water by accident, then there's no shame in asking for a refund. The truth is that turning off hot water systems can be inconvenient and sometimes even painful. Either way, keeping yourself warm is better than letting yourself freeze while everyone else has hot showers.
It's safer
You can't afford to be running out of hot water with your family or roommates. There's a safety issue involved when you run out. You could easily incur serious medical bills if someone gets burned while using a tap that hasn't been turned on in months.
More environmentally responsible
A typical hot water heater will use about 80% of the energy used to produce the same amount of hot water. If you're using off-peak water, it should take much less energy to heat the same amount of water. However, because there are many different reasons for running out of hot water and alternative sources for this consumption, not all off-peak systems can be considered green.
Automated
With innovative home technology, one can control everything from one app. Based on your daily activities, you can set up a routine for when off-peak water should turn on and off. Then, even if you work late one night, you'll still be able to have hot water.
Greener alternative
Off-peak water is an energy-efficient solution that reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Using less energy means you won't need as many inefficient carbon footprint factories to produce the same amount of hot water as you would if you had hot water 24 hours a day.
Not too hot
When water sits in your pipes for too long, it stops being hot and becomes lukewarm or cool. Then you have to run the shower for another few minutes before you can feel the heat anyway. It's a waste of water and money to pay for something that isn't going to be warm when you finally get into the shower. Off-peak hot water uses a storage system that ensures you have hot water when needed.
More convenient
You don't need to fret about depleting your hot water anymore, which is something that most people hate when they're taking showers at their homes or going on their morning commute. If you don't have to worry about this, you can better plan your life.
Safer during snowstorms
If you live in a place prone to heavy snowstorms, it's essential to plan for the cold weather that can come with them. And one of the top means to do this is by having enough hot water on hand to keep yourself warm. This way, if there's a bad storm and the power goes out, then at least you're not going to freeze.
Considerations Before Using Off-Peak Hot Water
Because off-peak hot water is a smart way to save money and reduce emissions, it's vital to get the most out of it. Always consider these factors before switching to off-peak hot water.
Bills
You first must determine how much hot water your current gas or electricity bill covers. Depending on what kind of utility service you have, it may not be very high. If your account includes other costs like metering and equipment costs, you may not be getting the total value out of off-peak water.
Technology
Many off-peak hot water systems are connected to a smart thermostat that lets appliances turn on and off based on the weather or when it's convenient for your daily schedule. If you have one of these systems, you're already taking advantage of the most significant features available to homeowners.
Maintenance
If you're already using off-peak hot water, you don't need to do extra work or install additional equipment. However, if you want to make this a sustainable alternative for your home, then some things need to be maintained, and others need to be replaced from time to time. This can be expensive, so it's essential to consider the cost of turning on your off-peak water heater before deciding whether it's saving you money in the long run.
Installation
Be sure to factor in time and costs when choosing whether to install an off-peak hot water system. You may find that it doesn't save money for you, so you might want to choose a different option.
Durability
If you're not concerned about the amount of money you're fighting over, it doesn't matter if your system is energy-efficient or low maintenance as long as it lasts for years. But if there are ways that you can improve the durability of your system, this will save you a lot of expenses.
Heat pumps
If you have a heat pump, then this is something that you need to know before you decide whether or not an off-peak hot water system is suitable for your home. Heat pumps can be tricky because they use electricity to produce the same heat that your hot water tank would typically make without any extra energy. Because of this, you must plan ahead if you want to save money while using less energy.
Outages
If a severe storm knocks out your natural gas supply, you won't be able to use any hot water at home until it is repaired. But if you have a smart hot water tank, then this shouldn't happen, and it's cost-effective for you. If a system is installed correctly, it can last for years.
Hot water minimums
Before making your off-peak hot water heater a permanent fixture, check the minimum amount of hot water that your home requires to function daily. If this is too little, then it's not worth your while investing in anything new.
Pipes and leaks
If a professional contractor has installed your pipes, then be sure to recheck them every year or two to ensure that there are no extensive leaks. If there is, you may lose more money than you need by using off-peak hot water.
Storage
If you keep off-peak water on hand for a long time, ensure that your tank is well-stocked with water before the start of each season. It's probably best not to store any water in your pipes because of the risk of freezing or bursting anything that needs to be kept cold.
Timing
You shouldn't forget to turn off your hot water tank after using off-peak hot water to ensure that your gas and electricity bills are as low as possible. If you haven't done this, then there's a good chance they will go up at the end of the month.
Plumbing
Before you decide whether or not it's worth having an off-peak hot water system installed in your home, check the plumbing of the bathroom and kitchen sinks to ensure that they aren't causing a problem for other users. This could mean that you might want to take the time to check the pipes in your laundry room and utility room.
Drawbacks Of Using Off-Peak Hot Water
Of course, it's important to remember that there are certain drawbacks to using an off-peak hot water system.
Alternatives
If you stay near the coast or in an area with many people, you may want to consider doing something else with your hot water tank because these areas will have problems and challenges that others might not have. For instance, if your home has solar panels on its roof, this might influence your decision on whether or not having a new off-peak electrical hot water system is right for you.
Sinks and showers
When you use an off-peak hot water system, you won't be able to enjoy a shower or a sink faucet on full blast just because you want to. Instead, you'll have to be aware of the temperature of the water and make sure that you can manage with what is provided.
Changing habits
Many people are accustomed to using hot water in specific ways during summer because they don't want to sweat all day long. It's also not uncommon to use hot water in the winter months because of things like washing dishes and doing laundry. Then if you suddenly need off-peak hot water, this could cause some people to change their habits in ways that might be uncomfortable for others.
Installation
In some cases, having an off-peak hot water system installed could have an adverse effect on the design of your home. Depending on where you stay and what your house looks like before installing the system, it could be impossible even to consider moving it into your home's current location.
Water pressure
When you have an off-peak water heating system installed, then it may not be able to provide hot water fast enough for everyone in your home because of something called a drop-off.
This happens when a temperature change prevents the water from flowing as well as it was designed to. This can be very frustrating if you're using the hot water when it suddenly cuts out, and you have to wait for it to heat up before things get better.
Off-Peak Systems Are Useful And Affordable
Off-peak hot water systems were created to maximise your energy savings by heating water during off-peak hours. Just remember that not every city provides these hot water services to their customers, so do check if you can find a reliable company that offers off-peak systems in your area. An expert will help with the recommendation of the best off-peak system to use as well as the installation.
