The worst drought in California history has recently happened in 2014, and if climate change is the reason for this, then this is only the beginning of problems that will worsen far beyond this winter. Clearly, residents of Marina Del Rey will need to change something in their lifestyles to prevent turning their paradise next to the Pacific Ocean into a desert. Many experts have suggested to take small conservation steps toward creating a large impact. One of these steps can be to install a tankless hot water heater.
A tankless water heater is also called an on-demand heater. There is a very small “holding” tank of about a gallon of hot water, but most of the water is run through a set of small, heated pipes to create instant and endless hot water. This system is more complicated than a typical hot water heater, and requires the installation services of a plumber. However, once installed, it pays for itself as it is a great way to conserve both electricity and water.
If you are a resident of Marina Del Rey for more than its proximity to LAX, then you probably care about the condition of the harbor, the beach, the boardwalk and the other resources that keep the area beautiful. These water heaters are one great way to do so. Electricity is saved because there are no longer tens to hundreds of gallons of water that need to constantly stay heated despite the fact that you only use hot water a few short times per day.
Saving this energy may help slow climate change by reducing the amount of fossil fuels that are used by the power plants providing you electrical current. This will also help you save water, because there is no need for your hot water heater to refill itself each time you take a shower, and because it is a more efficient water heating system, you don’t spend endless hours running the water until the warm water returns.
For Future Drought Years…
Though a tankless hot water heater won’t save the climate or prevent future droughts by itself, it is an important first step. This won’t be the last year that water will be a concern in Southern California, so it’s always a good idea to practice regular conservation strategies. These include installing high-efficiency toilets, low-flow shower heads, and aerators in your faucets.
Teach your children about military showers, where you only turn the water on to wet and rinse yourself, and turn it off during the washing and soaping periods of your shower. If you water your landscaping, do so sparingly, and during the cool morning and evening periods of the day. Consider installing drip irrigation, as it wastes less water than sprinklers, and put it on an automatic timer so that you don’t forget and leave it on. Wash your dishes in a basin inside your sink to reduce the total amount of water you have used, and only run a full dishwasher.