What is water heater energy factor? It stands as a measurement for describing water heater energy’s efficiency.
The calculation includes taking the quantity of the water heater’s point utilized and dividing it by the total amount of fuel into powering a unit.
The result is more efficiency with a higher water heater energy factor. Nonetheless, some things can affect the energy factor in a water heater in energy loss. These scenarios can include combustion gas exhaustion and standby use of water. Let’s discuss more on this below. Keep reading!
What Makes A Good Energy Factor In A Water Heater?
A gas water heater has a range of 0.5 to 0.7 energy factor. The device is energy-efficient only if it has an energy star label. Beginning in 2010, September, the device has to have 0.67 energy factor or higher to qualify for the brand. In a gas condensing water heater, the expected energy factor should fall to 0.8 and higher for the label’s qualification. Nonetheless, energy factors can differ based on their source of fuel. The electric water heater can have a higher EF than the gas water heater, but the electrical energy costs can be three times natural gas. The result is cheaper gas water heater operation even with lower EF.
Water Heaters That Go By The Energy Factor Ratings’ Listings
The water heaters can go by the energy factor rating listings. But first, consider these things in mind:
- Standby losses. This is the heat loss percentage for every hour in stored water than water heat content.
- Recovery efficiency. This is how the heat is efficient in the energy source as transferred in the water.
- Cycling losses. This is the heat loss with water circulating throughout the water heater tank, outlet, and inlet pipes.
In this regard, the water heater’s efficiency goes by the measurement according to the energy factor. Home appliances like water heaters, clothes washers, and dishwashers display a yellow and black label in Energy Guide. This guide served as an essential tool for comparing the yearly operating costs of the various water heaters. Nonetheless, it follows the same criteria for testing all models, enabling you to see fewer costs when used. The better the result is with a higher energy factor. For instance, a gas water heater has an energy factor ranging from 0.5 and 0.7.
The electric models can fall between 0.75 and 0.95. Manufacturers make more energy-efficient residential heaters by varying the burner design, tank insulation, and other features. But the higher energy factor values do not equate to lower yearly operating costs, particularly upon comparing fuel sources. The electric water heater has a higher energy factor than saying it’s more efficient. The electric model improves energy use as the gas water heater loses its vent power. Electrical energy can cost three times more than gas, making it cheaper to use natural gas, provided you choose.
What Is A Water Heater Energy Factor?
So, below lets you understand more on what is water heater energy factor in each water heater type:
#1. Electric water heater
The search for an energy factor that equals 0.93 and more significant is a good suggestion for buying an electric water heater. This is already a representation of 5% to 10% more savings than the usual efficiency device. Standby losses go further reduced while higher efficiency is achieved through more improved tank insulation. Even a device is a must for blocking cooler water in adjacent water pipes that sink into the tank, which needs re-heating. Savings pay for even higher heater costs in a year or two.
#2. 40-gallon gas water heater
This water heater has a 0.55 energy factor because of combustion inefficiencies, central flue that carries the heat away from combustion exhaust, standby losses due to thermo-siphoning and insulation, and continuous gas pilot light. The use of a gas water heater with a 0.62 energy factor or even more significant is a necessity in this case. This best represents 10% more savings than the conventional gas water heater, and the reduction of standby losses alongside anti-thermosiphon and insulation devices results in improved efficiencies.
The use of electronic ignition and not of a pilot light is as recommended alongside automatic draft dampers. More heat recovers as the flu that losses out also reduce. You may also want to read about where you can install point of use water heater.
#3. Residential water heater
This water heater type comes under the new generation by the production of a completely-submerged and internal coil heat exchanger. Then, the burner sits in the combustion chamber with flue gasses and water for extra heat transfer while the design improves the heat transfer surface than conventional gas flue tubes. The design maintains the hot combustion gasses in a tank that lengthens the heat transfer and controls the building up of harmful sediments in a heat exchanger.
It’s A Wrap!
Now, you learn more about the explanation on “what is water heater energy factor?” You also have understood the energy factor of each residential water heater, 40-gallon gas water heater, and electric water heater. But more importantly, you have learned what makes a good water heater energy factor. Click on these links to read related articles; know when to replace water heater and where to take old water heater.