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The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) today commended the U.S. Department of Energy for launching a new Energy Star program for residential water heaters. The program goes into effect Jan. 1, 2009, and will cover gas-fired storage, gas-fired tankless, heat pump, and solar water heaters.
The program for gas-fired storage water heaters will take effect in two phases. For the first 19 months of the program, these water heaters must achieve an Energy Factor of 0.62 to qualify for the Energy Star label. On Sept. 1, 2010, the program criteria change to require an Energy Factor of 0.67 to qualify.
"While water heater manufacturers provide a full range of energy efficient products, Energy Star labeling will make it much easier for consumers to identify higher efficiency products," said AHRI President Stephen Yurek. "We hope the program will encourage homeowners to replace older, inefficient water heaters with the more efficient equipment being manufactured today. It is an excellent way for consumers to save money, reduce energy consumption and help the environment."
In order to carry the Energy Star label, OEMs must have third-party verification of the product's energy factor rating. The large majority of water heater manufacturers do this already through AHRI. Certified equipment and efficiency ratings are listed in AHRI's certification directory at http://www.gamapower.org/water.php. From this directory, consumers and water heater installers can print certificates of certified product performance that can be used to obtain rebates from some utility companies and municipalities.
Water Heater Type |
Minimum Energy Factor |
Performance Criteria |
% Increase Over Federal Minimum |
| Gas-fired Storage (ending 8/30/2010) |
0.62 EF |
Minimum First-Hour Rating of 67 gallons-per-hour |
6.9% more efficient |
| Gas-fired Storage (beginning 9/1/2010) |
0.67 EF |
Minimum First-Hour Rating of 67 gallons-per-hour |
15.5% more efficient |
| Gas Condensing Storage |
0.80 EF |
Minimum First-Hour Rating of 67 gallons-per-hour |
37.9% more efficient |
| Gas Tankless |
0.82 EF |
Minimum gallons-per-minute
flow of 2.5 at a 77°F rise. |
41.4% more efficient |
| Heat Pump |
2.0 EF |
Minimum First-Hour Rating requirement of 50 gallons-per-hour |
121.2% more efficient |
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