A major change to the water heater market is on the way,
creating both challenges and opportunities for plumbing, heating and HVAC
contractors, designers and engineers.
New energy efficiency mandates from the U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE) will take effect on April 16, 2015. They require higher energy
factor (EF) ratings on virtually all residential water heating products
including gas-fired, oil-fired, electric, tabletop, instantaneous gas-fired and
instantaneous electric. Tankless systems already exceed these EF
requirements, and all other water heating products manufactured before the DOE
mandates take effect can still be bought and installed after the changeover
date.
“It’s important for contractors to become familiar with the
new rules and the technology options,” said Ralph Perez, director of product
management, A.O. Smith, in an interview with Perspective Media. “There are
products available that comply with the 2015 regulations, but they are
generally not yet in the mass market.”
While all affected models will see an increase in the EF
requirement, the most dramatic changes are in larger capacity models (see
accompanying chart). That’s because the only technologies that
now meet the EF requirements over 55 gallons are electric heat pump water
heaters and high-efficiency condensing gas water heaters.
The Bosch gas fired tankless water heaters affected by the new energy factor are the Bosch 330PN LP & NG, Bosch 520HN LP & NG and the Bosch 520PN LP & NG.
