DOE amends efficiency standards

The DOE has issued new efficiency standards for water heaters, direct heating equipment, and pool heaters.

Source: Dept of Energy

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The U.S. Dept of Energy (DOE) is amending the existing energy conservation standards for residential water heaters, gas-fired direct heating equipment, and gas-fired pool heaters. It has determined that the amended energy conservation standards for these products would result in significant conservation of energy, and are technologically feasible and economically justified.

According to the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute, the new minimum standards for lower-volume gas storage units is a little lower than what was originally proposed, while the new minimum standards for higher volume electric and gas storage water heaters are appreciably higher than the original proposed level. In the case of higher-volume electric storage units, for example, the final rule sets a minimum efficiency level more than twice as high as what was originally proposed and will, de facto, require heat pump technology.

The pool heater revised minimum is lower than the level proposed in December. The final direct heating equipment requirements are lower than the proposed levels but still increase the current requirements.

Read the full DOE final ruling.