About
ASAP

Residential Water Heaters

Last Updated: Octobers 2007
See the federal standards main page to view current status

Taking after actions in several states, water heater efficiency standards were established by Congress in 1987.  The original standards took effect in 1990 and established minimum efficiency requirements as a function of fuel and capacity.  For an average size unit, the standard was 0.54 EF (Energy Factor) for gas water heaters and .86 EF for electric water heaters. In January 2001, DOE published revised water heater standards, effective January 2004.  For an average-sized unit, the required EF is .59 for gas and .90 for electricity. In November 2006, DOE began a rulemaking to revise the 2004 standard.  The rulemaking is scheduled to be completed in April 2010 and take effect three years later.

• Federal Documentation (DOE Web site)

Filing
Comments on the Framework Document for the water heater, pool heater and direct heating equipment rulemaking.
February 12, 2007

News Update
Water Heater Efficiency Standard Update: VP Gore Announces Proposal to Improve Water Heater Efficiency