US: Water heater standards set to slash bills and pollution

(ACEEE blog, 30 Apr 2024) One of the biggest energy users in most homes will be significantly more efficient thanks to improved standards finalized by the Department of Energy (DOE). The standards for new water heaters will save many households about $170 each year on utility bills and avert 332 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions over three decades of sales, according to DOE.

The standards—due six years ago by law—are largely based on efficiency levels recommended by a coalition of manufacturers and consumer, energy efficiency, and environmental advocates. The new standards will take effect in 2029.

Steven Nadel, executive director of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, said: “Water heating is one of the biggest energy uses in most homes, and these standards are going to cut that demand significantly. Saving this much energy has a big impact in reducing household costs and climate pollution. The icing on the cake is that this will reduce strain on the electric grid for a long time to come.” 

Andrew deLaski, executive director of the Appliance Standards Awareness Project, said: “The technology for water heaters has advanced dramatically, and the standards have not kept up. Stakeholders came together and recommended efficiency levels that will reduce energy use significantly and yield big cost savings. This is going to move much of the electric market from decades-old technology that costs a lot to run to heat pump units that use less than half as much energy.”

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ACEEE blog, 30 Apr 2024: US: Water heater standards set to slash bills and pollution