Page 6 - UGI_Fall_2019

“When you look at the total cost of ownership, the

homeowner has an opportunity to save a considerable

amount of money in their budget by installing a tankless
system. There’s always going to be a trade-off between

installation cost versus overall savings with energy, but these water based on predetermined schedules
or personal usage.
high-tech appliances offer a good return on investment.” “Most of us have consistent routines,”
VanAssche said. “You can program it to
— rinnai’s Vanassche recirculate the water at 6 o’clock in the
morning, knowing you’re going to be in
your storage tank to supply hot water to each fixture,” VanAssche said. the shower at 6:10.”
“It maintains an optimum water temperature throughout the whole The Control-R also allows homeowners to operate the system
house, so you’re using less energy to reheat the water.” through a Bluetooth wireless push-button as well as offering voice
Traditional hot water storage tank systems use significant energy activation through Amazon Alexa, Google Home and Samsung
reheating stored water that has cooled off while in the tank or heating Smart Things.
cold water that flows into the tank after the original water is depleted. While tankless water heaters have a higher upfront cost, the added
Like many manufacturers, Rinnai has augmented its tankless hot efficiency of the tankless system combined with the lower cost of
water system with an app that brings even more technology to the sys- natural gas as a fuel provides lower operating costs, and a tankless
tem. Rinnai’s Control-R Wi-Fi app can be programmed to recirculate system will often pay for itself within five to seven years.

SmarT lauNdrY: CoNNeCTed WaSherS aNd drYerS add CoNVeNieNCe To lauNdrY daY

Smart homes — where appliances and devices can be home appliances are gaining popularity because they can
controlled remotely via Wi-Fi technology — are becom- save both time and energy, according to AHAM.
ing more popular among consumers, with 70 percent of
homeowners surveyed by the Association of Home Appli- a SmarTer lauNdrY SoluTioN
ance Manufacturers, or AHAM, saying they would consider Smart washers and dryers — especially when they rely
purchasing or are planning to buy a connected appliance. on natural gas for clothes drying and water heating —
A Zion Market Research report estimates that the smart- can help reduce energy use and save money.
home market will grow at an annual rate of about 15 Homes using natural gas to fuel water heating, clothes
percent, reaching about $53.4 billion by 2022. Connected drying and cooking use about one-fourth less energy than
a comparable all-electric home, resulting in annual
Photo courtesy of Ge aPPliances, a haier comPany Consumers can phone or tablet and transmit information about
utility bills that are roughly 49 percent less, accord-
ing to the American Gas Association.
Smart washers and dryers connect to a smart-

the appliance’s operation in real time, providing the
consumer with more precise control. Many are also
monitor and
control smart
compatible with Amazon Alexa or Google Home,
washers and
providing voice-activated operation.
dryers from apps
on smartphones
Smart washers and dryers allow consumers to
and tablets.
schedule cycles, monitor remaining cycle time,
receive alerts when a cycle is finished or start and
pause a cycle.
When a load is finished and ready to go to the
dryer, smart washers send an alert. If the owner
cannot make it to the washer when the load is
finished, many provide a “smart tumble” feature

06 naturalLiving ❙ Fall - Winter 2019