What Is Energy Factor On Water Heater? 2 Awesome Things To Know!

Are you wondering what is energy factor on water heater? Stop wondering, and you have arrived at the right place at the right time. Without further ado, let’s start reading this article. The water heater Energy Factor (EF) seems to be a measurement used to describe a water heater’s energy efficiency.

The energy factor of a water heater is calculated by dividing the amount of energy used by the amount of energy used to power the device. The greater a water heater’s energy factor, the more efficient it is. 

what is energy factor on a water heater

A water heater’s energy would’ve been used in an ideal world. That isn’t the case, especially with gas-powered machines. To name a few instances, power could be wasted during the burning process, while water is saved for standby use, and when combustion gases are discharged. Determining the water heater efficiency is just one step away, so keep reading this article and discover more.

 

How To Determine The Efficiency Of Water Heaters?

So, what is energy factor on water heater? The yellow energy badge estimates a water heater’s energy efficiency or yearly operational cost while purchasing one for the house. It can match the prices of different, more energy-efficient and much less power-efficient models.

This can help you determine the savings and payback period of spending on a considerably higher energy-efficient product that may also be more expensive. Calculate the energy efficiency of such a tanked and tankless water heater using the energy factor. 

The factor of energy calculates the water heater’s overall energy effectiveness based on the amount of hot water output per unit of electricity consumed over a day. Several illustrations are as follows: A recovery rate seems to be the effectiveness with which heat from such a source of energy is transferred to the water. Standby loss is defined as a percentage of heat loss from tank water per hour compared to the heat content of water.

Cycling losses are heat losses that occur as water circulates through a water heater reservoir or incoming and outgoing pipes. The more energy factor a water heater has, the more effective it is. On the other hand, higher energy values obtained do not always imply reduced annual running costs, especially in comparison to fuel sources. The factor of energy of your water heater model is generally available in the marketing materials supplied by the company.

Choose the water heater that isn’t just dependent on its efficiency. Also, it’s essential to consider the size and initial grades, the kind of fuel, and the entire cost while purchasing a water heater.

The energy factor of gas water heaters is usually around 0.5 to 0.7. Looking for the Energy Rating logo on such a water heater seems to be an intelligent method to tell if it is energy efficient. To be eligible for the Energy Rating designation, a water heater should have an energy factor of 0.67 or higher. To qualify for the Energy Star designation, gasoline condensing water heaters should have an energy factor of 0.8 or above.

 

What Is Energy Factor On A Water Heater?

You must first select the suitable type of water heater for the home before you can even compare the pricing of other models. Check out sizing a modern water heater if you’ve not already. You’ll need the following information regarding the type to estimate the annual running cost of a tank, tankless:  The type of fuel and its cost, and the energy factor (EF). With the bits of help of this, you will quickly learn what is energy factor on the water heater. 

 

#1. Water heaters with oil and natural gas

You’ll have to calculate the price per British thermal unit of fuel. 100,000 British thermal units = 1 therm. Energy factor x cost of fuel = projected yearly operational cost (365 days x 0.4102 therms/day). The water heater with natural gas with an energy factor of.59 and a cost of fuel of $0.00000108 per therm is an example. $161 = 365 x 0.4102/.59 x $1.08. You may also be interested to know about the pros and cons of an oil-fired water heater.

 

#2. Electric-powered water heater

You must know or be capable of converting the cost of the electricity into kilowatt-hours. 1 year days(365) x 12.04 kWh/day = annual cost of operation energy factor  x cost of fuel. Example: The electric-powered water heater has an energy factor of .0 and a 0.1302-kilowatt-hours electricity bill. $114 = 1 year days X 12.04 /5.0 X 0.1302.

The DOE (Dept of Energy) test protocol for heated water heaters considers an input temperature of water 57 degrees Fahrenheit, a heated water temp of 135 degrees Farenihite, with overall heated water output of 65.4 gallons every day, is used to calculate the energy consumption per day in the initial calculations.

 

It’s A Wrap!

We are happy to know that you have learned what is energy factor on water heater. It is essential to see the water heater’s energy factor, and the above calculations will help you find the energy factor of your water heater. Thank you, friends, for reading this article till the end. You may also want to read about how to tell if water heater is gas or electric and how to fix gas water heater.

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