Gas water heaters have provided efficient and reliable hot water to American homes for decades. While the technology is well established, the market continues to evolve. As technology improves, homebuyer needs and expectations will also change. Here's the latest in water heater technology and efficiency standards and how they impact your business.
Advances in tankless technology
Tankless water heaters are growing in popularity because they provide instant hot water without the standby energy losses associated with storage units. They also offer a smaller footprint and extended life. Tankless unit manufacturers continue to improve efficiencies (up to 96%) and capacities (up to 199,000 Btu). Other advanced features available include:
- Scale prevention technology, which eliminates routine descaling maintenance, extending operating lifetime.
- Built-in smart recirculation pumps that operate based on homeowner's usage.
- Flow meter and pressure transducers for improved temperature control and recording hot water demand.
- Higher turndown ratios (the maximum usable flow to the minimum controllable flow), up to 22:1
- Longer-lasting heat exchangers (up to 15 years) and more-efficient burners using an internal gas mixing system.
Most manufacturers offer Wi-Fi capability and built-in controls for providing automatic pump operation, troubleshooting and maintenance.
Tank water heating on demand
Instant hot water may soon be available with storage units as well. An on-demand tank water heater, the Essency EXR, was recently introduced, incorporating a 55-gallon tank and rated at an 80-gallon First-Hour Rating (FHR). Tanks are constructed from a double-wall polymer material that lasts three times longer than their metal counterparts, with a fully transferrable 20-year tank warranty and lifespan that can exceed 30 years.
Fresh domestic water goes through a heat exchanger when hot water is drawn. Next, energy from the super-heated tank water is instantaneously transferred to the domestic water. Because the domestic water never mixes with the tank water, rust and scale build-up are eliminated. A unit was recently installed in a 6,000-square-foot custom-built home in Texas.
New efficiency specifications
ENERGY STAR® is the gold standard in energy-efficient water heating products. Including ENERGY STAR-certified gas storage or tankless units in your homes can make them more valuable and attractive to today's buyers.
The new ENERGY STAR® Water Heater specification, Version 5.0, went into effect on April 18, 2023. Water heaters manufactured as of this date must meet Version 5.0 requirements to be labeled ENERGY STAR. Gas water heaters meeting this specification can save between $19 and $88 per year, depending on the water heater type and capacity. Any gas heat pump water heaters entering the market can also be certified.
Uniform Energy Factor (UEF) is the standard efficiency rating for new water heaters. To meet the new certification requirements, gas storage units must have a UEF rating between 0.81 and 0.86, depending on tank volume, with a FHR of 51 gallons per hour or more. For tankless units, the UEF must be 0.95 or higher, with a maximum gallon per minute of 2.8 or more over a 67°F rise.
By staying up to date on the latest trends, you'll be better prepared to offer high-performance hot water systems for today's (and tomorrow's) homebuyers.
