About Water Heating
Heating water is a large portion of a household’s energy consumption. Approximately 14% of the utility bill is spent on the energy produced by a home’s water heater. For most homes with electric hot water storage tanks, heating water ranks second as the homes biggest energy consumer.
Penlight’s Water Heater Rebate:
Penlight offers a $50 rebate for high efficiency water heaters that meet specific performance specifications. The requirements to receive this rebate are:
- Submit a completed Water Heater Rebate Form (for qualifying models purchased through outside retailers)
- Legible copy of purchase receipt which includes brand name and model number
For PenLight’s Water Heater Rebate Form ‘Click Here’
Marathon Hot Water Heaters
Marathon Water Heater’s offer a lifetime warranty for as long as you own your home. The Marathon unit uses a thick layer of Envirofoam, which is completely CFC and HCFC free, to make the unit the most energy efficient model, size for size, of any available today. The Marathon has a tough, durable polyethylene outer jacket making it lightweight but resistant to dents and scratches. Since it uses a non-metallic tank, the Marathon unit does not have an anode rod, eliminating any odor problems. It also features a recessed drain valve and a "bowled shaped" self-cleaning tank. If you purchase a Marathon Water Heater through Penlight, we will provide and complete the $50 rebate form at the time of purchase. Marathon Water Heaters are available in 30, 40, 50, 75, 85, and 105 gallon tanks. If you are interested in a Marathon unit please call 253.857.5950 for questions and pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much more is the Marathon than a conventional water heater?
The 40 or 50 gallon Marathon will cost approximately 2 times more than a basic steel water heater on the smaller sizes and the larger 75 to 105 gallon units will be the same or less than steel water heaters. That is not a real comparison, however, as you are comparing a lifetime warranty product that is super-insulated against a 5 or 6 year warranty product with minimal insulation. Installation for the Marathon is usually easier than for steel units
Is it worth more than a conventional water heater?
Yes. The Marathon will save you energy year after year and after five years it won’t have to be replaced. With the Marathon, you won’t have to pay for installation costs in five years when other models tend to breakdown. The other thing people often overlook is the damage to their floor and belongings when their cheaper water heater fails.
Why should I bother, my last water heater lasted 22 years?
That’s impressive but not uncommon for older water heaters. Older water heaters had much thicker steel and more porcelain than the new units. Because manufacturers have cut so many costs from the manufacturing process, most steel water heaters made today will not last much longer than their warranty.
If I can’t afford it right now what can I do?
No one makes it easier to own the world’s best water heater than Peninsula Light Company. With our easy terms, you can start realizing your energy savings right away and use those to offset the cost:
- We offer a $50 mail in rebate on the Marathon to keep the cost to our members low.
- You can pay by cash, check or a credit card.
- We also offer 90 days same as cash financing for the Marathon. You can have this amount added to your electric bill with no interest!
Can I install it myself?
We do recommend you have a professional do the installation, but if you are experienced, you can. The Marathon comes with a clear installation guide – just note that there are a couple of small but important differences between installing the Marathon and a standard tank. You will quickly see it is actually easier to install than a regular water heater.
Do you offer installation?
No we do not. However we can refer you to a local contractor we have worked with on other Peninsula Light programs.
What is the benefit of a conventional water heater over a tankless water heater?
Conventional water heaters have many advantages over tankless. ‘Click Here’ to learn more about tankless water heaters.
I am building a new house, wouldn’t gas be cheaper?
Not necessarily. Although gas may be slightly cheaper, gas water heaters are more expensive than electric units and the venting now required for safety can be quite expensive. Electric water heaters are nearly 100% efficient, as all of the heat generated stays in the unit. Gas water heaters have a tendency to allow heat to escape. Also, the Marathon is like a Thermos in that it keeps the water hot once you have heated it. It’s the most efficient water heater made. Many people are now building tighter, more efficient homes and indoor air quality is becoming a concern. Any fossil fuel water heater can be a problem with carbon monoxide, and other pollutants needing to be vented. You can eliminate this issue entirely, however, with the energy efficient, electric Marathon.
What size do I need?
The Marathon comes in several different sizes – the 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 75, 85, and 105 gallon models. The size of the water heater your home will need is dependent on the number of people in your household and how much hot water is used. Here are some approximate tank volumes that are seen fit for homes within the size range:
Household Size |
1-2 |
3-4 |
5-6 |
6+ |
Tank Volume in Gallons |
30, 40, or 50 |
50 or 85 |
85 |
105 |
85 gallon or larger tanks are recommended for whirlpools and Jacuzzis.
