This guest blog post was written by James York, Rinnai America Corporation’s Vice President of Engineering, North America.

World Water Day is an annual event celebrated on March 22.

Did you know that, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the average American family of four uses 400 gallons of water per day? Last year, Obama Administration held a “Roundtable of Water Innovation” event and experts said that the country could reduce its water usage by 33 percent by taking simple measures like turning the water off when brushing teeth.

Today, the 24th annual World Water Day, is a prime opportunity to acknowledge and discuss these and other improvements that can be made in our homes in order to conserve water.  World Water Day, an international observance of water-related issues, is coordinated by UN-Water, an entity that coordinates the United Nation’s work on water and sanitation.

A large portion of water used in homes is wasted when people allow water to run down the drain waiting for it to heat up. Sounds like a problem with a simple fix: less wait time for hot water. Tankless water heaters are the solution, allowing for a new construction or retrofit recirculation solution to provide faster hot water whenever and wherever you need it.

The benefit of using a tankless water heater goes beyond water savings to also impact the energy needed to produce hot water. Designed for efficiency, tankless technology provides maximum efficiency and uses up to 40 percent less energy than a traditional tank. By operating only when hot water is needed, without the need to keep hot water available in a storage tank, tankless technology helps save on both energy and water costs.

Investments in energy- and water-efficient appliances is a wise decision for any consumer or business owner. The benefits are widespread - increased value of the property with premium technology, lower monthly utility bills and often a better energy efficiency rating index score or LEED certification. Existing energy efficiency rebates and tax credits can also help make to these purchases more affordable for many consumers.

Our company, Rinnai America – the number-one selling brand of tankless water heaters in the U.S. and Canada – has engineered new systems that truly pay off at the faucet:

● The Ultra Series Tankless Water Heater RUR Models makes hot water rapidly available in shower, sinks and appliances – avoiding water wasted down the drain while it heats up. This is achieved through an integrated recirculation pump and internal bypass line (RUR models) with or without a dedicated return line that provides heated water during active circulation periods controlled by a timer.  

● Our upcoming Wi-Fi module uses wireless technology so that users can control their tankless water heaters from a smartphone or tablet to turn the system on and off, change the water temperature and monitor status. Soon, users will also be able to activate the recirculation system from their smart phones.

The typical U.S. home wastes potentially thousands of gallons of water annually. By creating a simple solution that reduces wait time for hot water, consumers can use the right amount of water without waste, gaining a significant head start on the president’s goal of reducing water use by 33 percent.