With energy-consuming equipment, such as water heaters and refrigerators, we have good data on energy consumption and can set clear standards accordingly. In some product categories—clothes washers, for example—Energy Star standards were adopted because those standards provide a high enough threshold to represent just the very top segment of the product market (less than 10%). In other product categories—e.g., refrigerators and dishwashers—we set a higher threshold than ENERGY STAR: for example, exceeding those standards by 10% or 20%. With lighting and lighting control equipment, certain generic products qualify, such as compact fluorescent lamps and occupancy/daylighting controls, while in other categories only a subset of products qualify. In some cases, products that meet the energy efficiency requirements are excluded, because of evidence of poor performance or durability. Microturbines are included here because of the potential for cogeneration (combined heat and power) that they offer.
Bosch ProTankless Water Heaters
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While resilience—the ability to weather natural disasters and maintain livable conditions in the aftermath of disruptive events—is mostly an issue of building design and community preparedness, certain products can help. For example, almost all heating systems require electricity to operate even if their primary fuel is oil, gas, or wood pellets; systems that allow operation even if grid electricity is not available are more resilient in the event of power outages. Rainwater harvesting, water storage, composting toilets, and waterless urinals contribute to resilience not only in drought-prone areas but also during power outages in any home dependent on well water. Solar water heating systems that can operate without utility power, and back-up power systems that are more energy-efficient than standard generators, may have this attribute.
The Bosch ProTankless line of gas-fired, condensing tankless water heaters offer efficiencies up to 98%. The Bosch Energy Star-rated Therm C 950 ES and commercial Therm C 1210 ESC have capacities of 9.2 and 12.1 gpm at a 35ºF rise, respectively. The 1210 has a maximum input of 225,000 Btu, and up to 24 units can be run in parallel to meet higher demands. The heaters can also be fueled by either natural gas or propane, and have electronic ignition, digital temperature control, and a 15-year warranty. They are direct vent models that can be vented horizontally or vertically, and have freeze protection for outdoor installing, though an outdoor kit is required.
The most efficient fuel-fired residential water heaters include electronic-ignition gas-fired tankless or on-demand models, heat-pump water heaters, and advanced combination space- and water-heating systems. All electric-resistance water heaters have the inefficiencies and fuel-source pollution concerns inherent to electric power generation, so are not included here. In addition, tankless electric water heaters require very large current feeds—often 40 or even 60 amps, which necessitates heavy wiring and can create capacity challenges for utility companies.
Gas-fired condensing storage-tank type water heaters have fuel efficiencies greater than 90% and use a variety of types of insulation. Tankless water heaters have no standby losses or storage tank insulation concerns, and some models have sealed combustion and no pilot lights. Heat-pump water heaters have at least double the efficiency of electric-resistance water heaters, but these are still very uncommon. In combined or integrated systems, efficiencies are boosted by uniting space heating and/or cooling into a single system that includes water heating. Some boilers also provide domestic hot water, and some electronic-ignition on-demand water heaters can be used as boilers for heating, particularly in very-low-energy buildings. Including a tankless coil in a regular boiler, however, is less efficient than storage-tank type water heaters. Other factors to consider include indoor air quality (in terms of combustion gases), particularly whether the system has sealed combustion with direct venting to the outdoors and/or enhanced combustion emissions controls (for NOx, particulates, etc.), the ozone-depletion impacts associated with refrigerants for heat pumps and blowing agents for storage tank insulation, and whether it is capable of continued operation in the event of a power outage. In almost every type of high-efficiency water heater there are issues of rate-of-use, climate, and maintenance that require consideration to make the appropriate selection for optimal results. Storage water heaters listed here have Energy Factors (EF) of at least 0.67 reflecting Energy Star criteria for 2010 and CEE’s Tier I standard. Models with inputs greater than 75,000 Btu are not required to have energy factors, so for those units we require thermal efficiency over 90%. Tankless water heaters listed here have Energy Factors (EF) of at least 0.82 reflecting Energy Star criteria or have a high EF along with additional environmental features such as sealed combustion.
The most efficient fuel-fired water heaters include electronic-ignition gas-fired tankless (on-demand) models, direct-contact commercial water heaters, and advanced combination space- and water-heating systems.
Gas-fired condensing storage-tank type water heaters have fuel efficiencies greater than 90% and use a variety of types of insulation. Tankless water heaters have no standby losses, and some models have sealed combustion and no pilot lights. In combined or integrated systems, efficiencies are boosted by uniting space heating and/or cooling into a single system that includes water heating.
Other factors to consider include indoor air quality (in terms of combustion gases), particularly whether the system has sealed combustion with direct venting to the outdoors and/or enhanced combustion emissions controls (for NOx, particulates, etc.), and whether it is capable of continued operation in the event of a power outage. In almost every type of high-efficiency water heater there are issues of rate-of-use, climate, and maintenance that require consideration to make the appropriate selection for optimal results.
Commercial-sized water heaters listed here have thermal efficiency ratings of at least 96% for gas and 87% for oil, or have a high thermal efficiency along with additional environmental features such as sealed combustion. To date, neither CEE nor Energy Star has a commercial water heater standard.
Water heating accounts for about 17% of the energy consumed in homes, and some businesses—such as hotels and restaurants—have very high hot water demands. Providing energy-efficient hot water for these different uses can be accomplished using a variety of technologies. The most efficient fuel-fired water heaters include electronic-ignition gas-fired tankless or on-demand models, advanced combination space- and water-heating systems, and gas-fired condensing storage-tank type water heaters.
Tankless water heaters have no standby losses, and some models have sealed combustion and use condensing technology. Some models can be used as boilers for heating in very-low-energy buildings. In combined or integrated systems, efficiencies are boosted by uniting space heating and/or cooling into a single system that includes water heating, and some boilers provide domestic hot water.
A variety of heat exchangers are also used to heat water. Desuperheaters capture waste heat created by refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment in commercial, and some residential applications, but there have to be significant cooling loads for these products to be cost effective. And electric heat-pump water heaters pull heat from the air using compressors to evaporate and condense refrigerant in a closed loop, transferring that heat into water stored in an insulated tank. These units also cool and dehumidify surrounding air, so they need to be located appropriately. Heat can even be recovered from drain lines using gravity film heat exchanger (GFX) and other technologies.
Choice of water heater can depend on fuel, space, rate-of-use, climate, maintenance, and other factors. Note: combustion gases generated by some water heaters can impact indoor air quality, and refrigerants used in some heat pumps can impact the ozone. Electric-resistance water heaters are not included here because of the inefficiencies and fuel-source pollution inherent to electric power generation.
Certifications
- Energy Star - Tankless Gas Water Heaters
LEED Credits
EAc1: Optimize Energy Performance
EAp2: Minimum Energy Performance
Ratings and Commentary
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