One of the main places homeowners can get significant reductions in both their utility bills and their carbon footprint is in the way they heat their water. Tankless electric water heaters save the cost of keeping a large amount of water hot by employing a system that instantly heats water just before it flows out of your faucet—a technology pioneered by the German company Stiebel Eltron since the 1950s. The company has its U.S. base of operations in Hatfield, where it sells the heaters through a network of plumbing distributors throughout North America. Plumbers and/or homeowners can purchase them locally at F. W. Webb (with branches in Greenfield, Northampton, Pittsfield and Springfield) and Premier Supply Group (Brattleboro, Greenfield, Northampton and Stockbridge).
Stiebel Eltron is also a leader in solar thermal technology (which differs from photovoltaics in that it uses energy from the sun's heat rather than its light), and manufactures solar hot water systems as well. The solar systems use special liquids and strategic placement designs, and usually require a trained group of installers to fit one into your house and account for daily and yearly sunlight conditions. Local installers Green in Green (www.greeningreen.com) have performed many installations in the Valley, and custom designs can usually be devised for whatever specific challenges your house might present.
