Water Heater Key Product Criteria
A non-solar water heater can be certified as ENERGY STAR by meeting Uniform Energy Factor (UEF) criteria.
Solar water heaters must meet minimum Solar Uniform Energy Factor (SUEF) criteria to be certified as ENERGY STAR.
| Storage Water Heaters | Storage type units designed to heat and store water at a thermostatically controlled temperature, including: gas storage water heaters with a nominal input of 75,000 British thermal units (Btu) per hour or less, containing more than one gallon of water per 4,000 Btu per hour of input; electric heat pump water heaters with a maximum current rating of 24 amperes at an input voltage 250 volts or less, including all ancillary equipment such as fans, storage tanks, pumps, or controls necessary for the device to perform its function.1 |
|---|---|
| Instantaneous Water Heaters | Instantaneous (or “tankless”) type units heat water, but contain no more than one gallon of water per 4,000 Btu per hour of input with an input less than 200,000 Btu per hour for gas-fired instantaneous.2 |
| Solar Water Heaters | Solar water heaters include a collector and storage tank, and use the sun’s energy to heat water using one of the five basic types of solar water heating systems:
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| High Capacity Storage Water Heaters | Gas-fired storage residential-duty commercial water heaters include gas-fired storage water heaters that are designed to deliver hot water at a temperature less than or equal to 180°F, with an input rate greater than 75,000 Btu per hour and not exceeding 105,000 Btu per hour, containing more than one gallon of water per 4,000 Btu per hour of input, and storage volume less than or equal to 120 gallons. For models requiring electricity, a single-phase external power supply is used. 2 |
ENERGY STAR Criteria – Uniform Energy Factor
Criteria for Certified Electric Storage Water Heaters
| Criteria | ENERGY STAR Requirements | |
|---|---|---|
| Uniform Energy Factor | Integrated HPWH | UEF ≥ 3.30 |
|
Integrated HPWH, 120 Volt / 15 Amp Circuit |
UEF ≥ 2.20 | |
| Split System HPWH | UEF ≥ 2.20 | |
| First Hour Rating | FHR ≥ 45 gallons per hour | |
| Warranty | Warranty ≥ 6 years on sealed system | |
| Safety | UL 174 and UL1995 or UL 60335-2-40 | |
| Lower Compressor Cut-Off Temperature (Reporting Requirement Only) | Report ambient temperature (°F) below which the compressor cuts off and electric resistance only operation begins | |
| Upper Compressor Cut-Off Temperature (Optional Reporting Only) | Partners may report the ambient temperature above which the compressor cuts off and electric resistance only operation begins | |
Criteria for Certified Gas-fired Storage Water Heaters
| Criteria | ENERGY STAR Requirements | |
|---|---|---|
| Uniform Energy Factor | Tank Volume >20 gallons and ≤ 55 gallons | Medium Draw Pattern: UEF ≥ 0.81 High Draw Pattern: UEF ≥ 0.86 |
| Tank Volume > 55 gallons | UEF ≥ 0.86 | |
| First Hour Rating | FHR ≥ 51 gallons per hour | |
| Warranty | Warranty ≥ 6 years on system (including parts) | |
| Safety | ANSI Z21.10.1/CSA 4.1 | |
Criteria for Certified Gas-fired Instantaneous Water Heaters
| Criteria | ENERGY STAR Requirements |
|---|---|
| Uniform Energy Factor | UEF ≥ 0.95 |
| Maximum Gallons Per Minute | Max GPM ≥ 2.8 over a 67° rise |
| Warranty | Warranty ≥ 6 years on heat exchanger and ≥ 5 years on parts |
| Safety | ANSI Z21.10.3/CSA 4.3 |
Criteria for Certified Gas-fired Storage Residential-duty Commercial Gas Water Heaters
| Criteria | ENERGY STAR Requirements |
|---|---|
| Uniform Energy Factor | UEF ≥ 0.86 |
| Warranty | Warranty ≥ 6 years on system |
| Safety | ANSI Z21.10.3/CSA 4.3 |
ENERGY STAR Criteria – Solar Energy Factor
Solar water heater models must meet all of the identified criteria to be labeled as ENERGY STAR.
Criteria for Certified Solar Water Heaters
| Criteria | ENERGY STAR Requirements | |
|---|---|---|
| Solar Uniform Energy Factor | SUEF ≥ 3.00 for electric backup | |
| SUEF ≥ 1.80 for gas backup | ||
| Warranty | ≥ 10 years on collector ≥ 6 years sealed system ≥ 2 years on controls ≥ 1 year on parts |
|
Glossary
First Hour Rating (FHR): An estimate of the maximum volume of hot water in gallons that a storage water heater can supply within an hour that begins with the water heater fully heated. The FHR is measured at a 125°F outlet temperature in the Uniform Energy Factor test method.
Gallons per Minute (GPM): The amount of gallons per minute of hot water that can be supplied by an instantaneous water heater while maintaining a nominal temperature rise during steady state operation. The GPM is measured over a 67°F temperature rise in the Uniform Energy Factor test method.
Solar Uniform Energy Factor (SUEF): The energy delivered by the total system divided by the electrical or gas energy put into the system.
Uniform Energy Factor (UEF): The newest measure of water heater overall efficiency. The higher the UEF value is, the more efficient the water heater. UEF is determined by the Department of Energy’s test method outlined in 10 CFR Part 430, Subpart B, Appendix E.
1 10 CFR Part 430, Subpart B, Appendix E
2 10 CFR Part 430, Subpart B, Appendix E and 10 CFR Part 430, Subpart A, § 430.2 Definitions