Rinnai calls on DOE to revise proposed Efficiency Standards for Tankless Water Heaters
Rinnai America Corp. has called on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to revise its proposed efficiency standards for tankless water heaters. In its current form, the draft rule will unreasonably restrict consumer access to certain tankless water heater products, disproportionately impacting middle-income households and small businesses.
The draft rule would raise standards for tankless gas-fired water heaters to over 91 percent efficiency, while leaving the standards for tank gas-fired water heaters relatively untouched at 70 percent efficiency. While tankless water heaters are the more environmentally friendly option, achieving 91 percent efficiency with non-condensing technology is technologically impossible.