Considerations When Selecting Appliances for Off-Grid Living:
Hot Water
Clearly, electric hot water heaters are out. Most off-gid homes will
utilize propane hot water heaters. The most efficient type of hot water
heater is the on-demand flow through water heater. An on-demand water heater
uses fuel only when you are actually using hot water. There is no tank of
water to be kept constantly hot. No more running out of hot water just as
the last person steps into the shower!
Be aware that some models of on-demand hot water heaters require 120VAC for
their electronic ignition systems. In some cases, these ignition modules do
not draw enough power to bring an inverter out of stand-by mode. These
models are best avoided in an off-grid home.
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