Manufacturers have been required to comply with the
Department of Energy (DOE) energy conservation standards for residential water
heaters since 1990. Residential water heaters are products that utilize oil,
gas, or electricity to heat potable water for use upon demand for activities
such as washing dishes or clothes, or bathing. Residential water heaters
include storage type units that store heated water in an insulated tank and
instantaneous type units that heat water on demand.
The standard mandatory in 1990 will save approximately 3.2
quads of energy and result in approximately $34.8 billion in energy bill
savings for products shipped from 1990-2019. The standard will avoid about 180
million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to the annual
greenhouse gas emissions of about 35.3 million automobiles.
The standard mandatory in 2004 will save approximately 6
quads of energy and result in approximately $70.6 billion in energy bill
savings for products shipped from 2004-2033. The standard will avoid about
316.8 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to the annual
greenhouse gas emissions of about 62.1 million automobiles.
Standards mandatory in 2015 will save approximately 3.3
quads of energy and result in approximately $63 billion in energy bill savings
for products shipped from 2015-2044. The standard will avoid about 172.5
million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to the annual
greenhouse gas emissions of about 33.8 million automobiles.
Table I.2—Amended
Federal Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Water Heaters
Established by April 2010 Final Rule
|
Product class
|
Energy factor as of April 16, 2015
|
Gas-Fired Storage Water Heater
|
For tanks with a Rated Storage Volume at
or below 55 gallons: EF = 0.675 − (0.0015 × Rated Storage Volume in gallons).
|
|
For tanks with a Rated Storage Volume
above 55 gallons: EF = 0.8012 − (0.00078 × Rated Storage Volume in gallons).
|
Oil-Fired Storage Water Heater
|
EF = 0.68 − (0.0019 × Rated Storage Volume
in gallons).
|
Electric Storage Water Heater
|
For tanks with a Rated Storage Volume at
or below 55 gallons: EF = 0.960 − (0.0003 × Rated Storage Volume in gallons).
|
|
For tanks with a Rated Storage Volume
above 55 gallons: EF = 2.057 − (0.00113 × Rated Storage Volume in gallons).
|
Tabletop Water Heater
|
EF = 0.93 − (0.00132 × Rated Storage
Volume in gallons).
|
Gas-Fired Instantaneous Water Heater
|
EF = 0.82 − (0.0019 × Rated Storage Volume
in gallons).
|
Instantaneous Electric Water Heater
|
EF = 0.93 − (0.00132 × Rated Storage
Volume in gallons).
|
What does all this mean...
If your current water heater is in a small utility closet or crawl space, you may need to find a new home for an updated model that requires more insulation and equipment.
“It’s going to be bigger. It’s going to be taller. It’s going to take up more room. A lot of water heaters are installed in a very tight quarters. So, all of these things could be a major impact if you are replacing a water heater after April in 2015”.
“So, if you go and buy a new water heater today, you might save a little bit more on the upfront costs and you’re again, going to get some energy efficiency out of it. But, come April there are going to be new models out and they’re probably going to be a little more costly but again, more energy efficient”.
If your current water heater is in a small utility closet or crawl space, you may need to find a new home for an updated model that requires more insulation and equipment.
“It’s going to be bigger. It’s going to be taller. It’s going to take up more room. A lot of water heaters are installed in a very tight quarters. So, all of these things could be a major impact if you are replacing a water heater after April in 2015".
“So, if you go and buy a new water heater today, you might save a little bit more on the upfront costs and you’re again, going to get some energy efficiency out of it. But, come April there are going to be new models out and they’re probably going to be a little more costly but again, more energy efficient".
It would be beneficial to consider buying an energy efficient on demand water heater. They are already smaller, provides endless hot water, and cost effective. Houseneeds sells electric, oil, propane and natural gas units to meet your needs. The gas units can be either condensing or non-condensing. Click on the link below to view selections...
