US plans water heater standards, says they will save consumers $11 billion
US plans water heater standards, says they will save consumers $11 billion
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.
Does this mean we're about to see Republicans start to use "DEMONRATS WANT TO TAKE AWAY YOUR HIT WATER" as a talking point soon?
25How will Trump was his beautiful hair, if the democrats take away his water heater?
6You mean 'gas water heater.' You need to tie up multiple conspiracies at once.
3
The proposal would require the most common-sized electric water heaters to achieve efficiency gains with heat pump technology and gas-fired water heaters to achieve efficiency gains through condensing technology.
The electric one is a pretty big design change.
Interesting what industry says on it:
A group including water heater maker Rheem, environmental group Natural Resources Defense Council and efficiency and consumer advocacy organizations issued a joint statement welcoming the new standards.
Tankless water heater maker Rinnai (5947.T), however, said the proposed standards for its products were "technologically impossible" and would reduce consumer choice.
PS if you want to reduce your hot water usage, turn off the shower while you're soaping. I've got my shower down to like 1 minute of running water. Wash clothes on cold.
14Tankless water heater maker Rinnai
were “technologically impossible”
impossible for a tankless heater maybe, but Jesus the amount of power those things draw
4Heat pump water heaters already exist, but I think they're pretty expensive compared to gas/resistive heat.
I wouldn't be surprised if electric tankless water heaters are indeed infeasible under this mandate. Heat pumps generally aren't powerful, and tankless heaters require enormous amounts of power while in use.
3Heat pump water heaters are pretty standard in large parts of the world. They are a bit expensive to install, but with today's electric prices, they pay off quite fast.
2It may exist but to require it is a whole different ball game.
1
If you really wanna reduce your hot water usage take a cold shower...
1Depends on the temp, I mean to measure it but around here I think it's close to 0 C.
3
The woman in the thumbnail is NOT Samantha Carter.
11Yeah, the caption says "U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm."
5I got you bro - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amanda_Tapping
5
Must've accidentally activated the quantum mirror from P3R-233
4
Nooo regulations bad! /s
6Surely the free market solves everything!
3
I'm a plumber in Denver and we are already dealing with the natural gas ban in the city limits. If someone's gas water heater goes out it's possible we have to wait up to two weeks to install one. This is after we have to give a detailed explanation as to why we can't just upgrade to an electric one. If they deny the gas water heater and make us put in an electric one the cost for the homeowner is way more expensive. It'll be interesting to see how this will all play out.
3Natural gas ban? Hadn't heard about that.
3They passed it this year. Link
1
I'd like to think this will be a good thing but then it could go the way of the toilet episode of King of the Hill.
1Gotta love the government getting involved where it doesn't belong.
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