What's all the fuss about...? Hybrid Vehicles

One of the questions I get asked a lot is, “So do you drive a Prius?”  My answer is no – but not because I don’t think hybrid cars are worthwhile.  There are a lot of pros and cons to hybrid vehicles, and it’s important to understand when and why hybrid technology is a good choice, and when and why it might not be.

How it works

A basic hybrid has two engines – a highly fuel efficient gas engine, and a large electric motor.  The gas engine is used to start the vehicle and operate it at highway speeds.  It also works to re-charge the battery of the electric motor, and takes over if the battery loses charge.  The electric motor operates the vehicle during typical city use – stop-and-go driving – and the braking system continuously recharges the battery.  Contrary to popular belief, hybrids do not need to be plugged in!

The Good

The most obvious benefit to the hybrid system is fuel efficiency.  Hybrid gas engines range between 40 and 60 mpg when in use on the highway (for car models; SUVs will be lower), and the normally less-efficient city driving is managed by the electric motor.  When idling the motor simply shuts off, saving power.

When compared to a fully electric vehicle, hybrids also have an advantage in the fact that the driver will never be stranded without power.  When the battery runs low, the gas engine kicks in and begins recharging the electric motor.

Monetarily, the federal government offers a tax break to hybrid drivers, and the amount of money spent annually on fuel can usually be cut in half.  Many insurance companies also offer discounts to hybrid drivers.

The Bad

The key to deciding whether a hybrid is the right vehicle is your driving pattern.  If the majority of your road-time is on the highway, you’re not going to benefit as much from the hybrid technology as a city driver.  The biggest benefit of a hybrid is the electric motor, which you’ll recall is only used in stop-and-go driving.  You’ll still get great gas mileage on the highway, but it’s kind of missing the point of a hybrid vehicle.  Highway drivers would better benefit from a fuel-efficient gas vehicle.

The other catch is the price.  Hybrid cars often cost significantly more than gas vehicles, and even though advances in technology and high demand have brought the prices down, they can still cost up to $10,000 more than an inexpensive four-cylinder car.

The Myths

While the technology within a hybrid system is complex, the maintenance is no more difficult than that of a regular vehicle.  Many critics lament over the disposal of the battery, but proper care of the vehicle ensures that it won’t need replacing.  And some systems, such as the regenerative brakes, last longer than in regular vehicles.

Hybrid cars also have a bad rap for being “funny looking.”  This may just be a matter of taste, but many car manufacturers are hearing the buzz and converting their standard models into hybrids.  The Honda Civic, the Chevy Malibu, even the Lexus RX crossover now come with a hybrid system, yet they look exactly like their gas-powered counterparts.

These are just a few things to consider if you’re thinking about making the switch to hybrid.  For more information, check out www.hybridcars.com

 

What's all the fuss about...? Tankless Water Heaters

There has been a lot of talk in the media about a huge variety of new, “green” technology – from “smart” electrical grids to solar panels, fuel made from algae to hydrogen-powered vehicles.  The ideas for creating a more sustainable infrastructure are countless, but do they really work?  Over the next few months, From the Green Seat will introduce you to some of these technologies, talk about the pros and cons, and try to help you unravel the mysteries around “green” technology.

This month, tankless water heaters will be our subject.  “Tankless?  How the heck do you get hot water without a tank?”  Through a computer chip, that’s how!  Tankless, or on-demand, water heaters work through a series of sensors and a small computer that sends a signal to the heat source (gas or electric) when the tap is turned on.  Water flowing through the heating element heats up within a few seconds, sending hot water quickly to the tap.

The biggest benefit of a tankless heater is energy savings.  With a regular hot water tank, energy is expended constantly to maintain the temperature of the water stored in the tank.  And a lot of that energy is lost through “standby loss” – heat that escapes through the walls of the tank as water sits unused.  The U.S. Department of Energy estimates savings of up to 30% on the cost of heating water for a small household using a tankless system – savings may be less for larger families.

Another way to use a tankless heater is at point-of-use.  In larger houses, you may be able to save even more by installing a tankless system on each floor, or in heavy-use rooms like the kitchen or master bath, to reduce the amount of water left in the pipes between the heater and the taps.

Additional savings can be found in the long life of tankless systems.  Regular heaters may last up to 10 years; tankless heaters can last at least 20.  They are easier to repair than regular hot water tanks as well.

One downside to a tankless system is demand.  If you have a large family or house, one system may not provide enough hot water for multiple use points – someone taking a shower might get a cold surprise if the kitchen sink is turned on!  Hoewever this is also sometimes an issue with regular water tanks as well, and can be mitigated by using more than one heater.

Another con is installation.  Replacing your tank system with a tankless heater is, unfortunately, not a do-it-yourself project.  It requires extensive knowledge in plumbing and electrical work, and is best handled by a professional.  They also can be expensive – prices range from $600-$1500 depending on output rates and size.

Consumer Reports has an evaluation tool available on their website to help you determine if a tankless system is advantageous, or if you would be better served by a high-efficiency tank.  Click here.