janeAnne’s blog, 10+ Simple Retrofits for Older Homes , inspired me to write a little about adding energy efficient features to older homes.

Yes, as janeAnne mentioned, I do have the ancient fluorescent bulb. It’s a “60 watt” screw-in version and works as well today as it did 13 years ago. When we moved  18 months ago a couple other bulbs the same age were left behind. It joins about 12 newer bulbs, both “60 watt” and “100 watt.” I use them wherever I can. My children recently had a laugh at my expense when I installed a new dining room light and put 6 “60 watt” fluorescents in it. I forgot that the light is on a dimmer and fluorescents don’t dim. But boy does that thing hum.

What I really wanted to say is that back in 1999, at our old house, we were planning for Y2K. We were doing some major remodeling, so the time seemed right to add a 500 gallon propane tank and two heaters that used no electricity. You know, just in case the prophets of doom were right.

It was just about that time that the hot water tank sprung a leak. Being the obsessive handyman that I am, I began a search for the ultimate replacement. It turned out to be a $425 Bosch tankless water heater. I was going to put that propane to good use.

After much trial and tribulation, this wall-hung marvel in place and plumbed for gas combustion, cold water in, and hot water out. The flue was installed out through the block wall.

I lit the pilot and turned on the hot water faucet at a nearby laundry tub. To my amazement the flame came to life and in a few seconds hot water was flowing. For the next six years we showered, bathed, washed dishes and dogs, and never ran out of hot water. There are seven in our family, and we never experienced the disappointment of wanting to shower and there being no hot water.

When we moved in 2005 we re-experienced the conventional 55-gallon hot water tank. Once again I am paying to store heated water all through the night when no one even cares that it is there.

I can’t wait till that water heater fails. I have my eye on the latest pilotless models!