DOE implements criteria for Energy Star water heaters

-- Consulting-Specifying Engineer, 4/2/2008

The U.S. Dept. of Energy (DOE) recently announced Energy Star criteria for water heaters, the first in the history of the program.  According to DOE projections, by the end of the fifth year in effect, the new water heater criteria are expected to save Americans 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 kWh and 270 million therms of natural gas. 

Water heating currently represents up to 17% of national residential energy consumption, making it the third largest energy user in homes, behind heating and cooling, and kitchen appliances.