DOE Announces New Energy Star Criteria for Water Heaters

DOE established new Energy Star criteria for water heaters on April 1, setting the wheels in motion for the first water heaters to carry the Energy Star label next year. The new criteria apply to five different kinds of water heaters: high-performance gas storage, whole-home gas tankless, advanced drop-in integrated heat pump, solar, and gas condensing. The criteria will be implemented across two years, with the first phase being initiated on January 1, 2009. The second phase will introduce stronger standards and will take effect on September 1, 2010. According to DOE projections, these new water heater criteria could, after five years of being implemented, save approximately $780 million in utility costs, avoid 4.2 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions, and achieve cumulative energy savings of more than 3.9 billion kilowatt-hours and 270 million therms of natural gas. For more information about the specific requirements for each type of water heater, see the DOE press release.

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