BOSTON, MA -- May 28, 2009 -- Four water heater manufacturers—Bradford White Water Heaters, Rheem Water Heating, Rinnai America Corporation, and A. O. Smith Water Heaters -- have joined forces with the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) to become part of the Coalition for Energy Star Water Heaters. 

Beginning January 1, 2009, manufacturers were allowed to apply the Energy Star mark for the first time to their qualifying models.  For a gas-fired water heater to be eligible for Energy Star, it must have a minimum energy factor (EF) of 0.62 for storage water heaters, a minimum EF of 0.80 for condensing storage water heaters, or a minimum EF of 0.82 for tankless water heaters. The Energy Star criteria for gas-fired storage water heaters will increase to 0.67 on Sept. 1, 2010.  Criteria have also been established for heat pump water heaters and solar water heating systems.

To increase awareness of Energy Star water heaters and demand in the market by reaching out to all points on the distribution system, CEE formed the Coalition for Energy Star Water Heaters. The group is comprised of industry associations, efficiency program administrators and water heater manufacturers who are among those offering a variety of Energy Star models.

Energy Star models will continue to advance energy efficiency and will help reduce energy consumption and save money through reduced utility bills. Water heating is typically the second largest home energy expenditure behind heating and cooling. Because it can account for as much as 15 to 17 percent of overall energy use in an average household, switching to an Energy Star water heater can provide homeowners with significant savings.