High Efficiency Water Heaters
Provide Hot Water for Less
Heating water accounts for approximately 15 percent of a home’s energy use. High
efficiency water heaters use 10 to 50 percent less energy than standard models,
saving homeowners money on their utility bills. Actual energy savings from high
efficiency water heaters depend on family size, heater location, and the size and
placement of water pipes.
UNDERSTANDING HIGH EFFICIENCY WATER HEATER TECHNOLOGIES
• Storage (Tank) Water Heaters. Water is kept hot and
ready for use at all times in insulated storage tanks with
capacities ranging from 20 to 80 gallons. Many fuel
options are available, including electricity, natural gas,
oil, and propane. One drawback of these units is the
energy used to keep the water hot at all times,
otherwise known as “standby losses.”
• Demand (Tankless) Water Heaters. Water circulated
through a large coil is heated only on demand using gas
or electricity; there is no storage tank continuously
maintaining hot water. A possible concern with this
technology is the limitation on the number of fixtures
that can simultaneously use hot water. However, there
is an endless supply of hot water and standby losses are
eliminated.
• Heat Pump Water Heaters. Heat pumps transfer energy from the surrounding air to
water in a storage tank. These water heaters are much more efficient than electric
resistance water heaters and most effective in warm climates with long cooling seasons.
• Solar Water Heating. While the initial purchase price of solar water heaters is high
compared to standard models, they can be cost effective. That is because the sun’s
energy is harnessed to reduce operating costs up to 90 percent. Solar water heating
systems require a conventional water heater as a backup water heating source to ensure
hot water is available when solar energy is not.
IMPORTANT WATER HEATER METRICS
• First-Hour Rating (FHR). F