The U.S. Department of Energy on Friday proposed energy efficiency standards on water heaters it said would save consumers $11.4 billion on energy and water bills annually.

The U.S. Department of Energy on Friday proposed energy efficiency standards on water heaters it said would save consumers $11.4 billion on energy and water bills annually.

The standards on residential water heater efficiency, which are required by Congress, have not been updated in 13 years. Water heating is responsible for roughly 13% of both annual residential energy use and consumer utility costs, the DOE said.

  • Earthwormjim91@lemmy.worldEnglish
    14·
    1 year ago

    I mean, this will make them pay more. High efficiency water heaters like this exist and are two to three times as expensive.

    For the average household it will take about 20 years before the cost premium to buy one is offset by the savings. Water heaters are only good for 10-15 years. So these rules ensure that you will pay more for hot water over time and will always pay more.

    It’s good for the environment but it’s going to hurt the average persons wallet.

    • blujan@sopuli.xyzEnglish
      3·
      1 year ago

      I have a gas water heater on demand that is 98% efficient as it works as a furnace, and it has saved me greatly in gas costs. It only costed 200 usd and you set a temperature and it always gives that temperature. It’s pretty much instant as my plumbing is all very direct and efficiently laid out (with all wet areas in my house being in a 5 meters radius.

      I pay 10 usd natural gas a month on summer (including 5 usd fixed service cost) and about 80 on winter with a gas whole home heater and a mini split (that we have 4 450watt solar panels for so we also don’t pay a lot for electricity).

      We also cook with gas for three people.

      Stuff can be much more efficient than it is without breaking the bank.

      I used to spend about 40 usd a month on summer with a water tank heater.

      • Earthwormjim91@lemmy.worldEnglish
        3·
        1 year ago

        98% is a horribly inefficient water heater. The high efficiency ones with heat pumps can be up to 400% efficient.

        • blujan@sopuli.xyzEnglish
          2·
          1 year ago

          Oh yeah it is, but the article also mentions gas heaters.

          Even then most americans use tanked ones and those are way more inefficient. Even now most NEW tank water heaters sold in the US are only 60% efficient.

          My point is there is improvement to be made without breaking the bank.