2015 Standards for
Common Size Water Heaters
GAS
20-55 Gallons
Greater than 55 Gallons
EF = 0.675 -(0.0015 x V)
EF = 0.8012 -(0.00078 x V)
Calculation
Rated Storage Volume Tankless 30
40
50
60
65
75
Current Standard
0.62
0.61 0.59 0.58 0.56
0.55
0.53
2015 Standard
0.82
0.63 0.62 0.60 0.75
0.75
0.74
ELECTRIC
Calculation
Rated Storage Volume
Current Standard
2015 Standard
20-55 Gallons
EF = 0.960 -(0.0003 x V)
20
0.94
0.95
30
0.93
0.95
40
0.92
0.95
Greater than 55 Gallons
EF = 2.057 -(0.00113 x V)
50
0.90
0.95
65
0.88
1.98
80
0.86
1.97
OIL
Calculation
EF = 0.68 -(0.0019 x V)
Rated Storage Volume
Current Standard
2015 Standard
30
0.53
0.62
32
0.53
0.62
Are You Prepared
50
0.50
0.59
FOR MORE INFORMATION
120
0.81
1.92
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information on the new 2015
DOE Water Heater Standards!
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and assembled in the states of Michigan and New Hampshire. All raw materials and component
parts are sourced from American companies for the highest level of American made content and
manufacture, whenever possible.
DOEB-0913 • ©2013, Bradford White Corporation. All rights reserved.
How the New 2015 Department of
Energy Water Heater Standards
Will Affect Your Business
A Whole New World
for Water Heaters
& Your Business!
Are you prepared for the sweeping
changes that will affect the entire water
heater industry on April 16th, 2015?
Known in the industry as the 2015 DOE
(Department of Energy) Final Rule,
these new energy efficiency mandates
will require higher Energy Factor (EF)
ratings on virtually all residential gas,
electric, oil and tankless gas water
heaters, completely altering the water
heater landscape.
Q: How will the 2015 standards
affect the water heater industry?
Q: What does this all mean to the
wholesaler and installer?
A: The new 2015 DOE energy efficiency mandates will require
higher EF ratings on virtually all residential gas, electric and oil
fired water heaters. These changes will have an impact on how
water heaters are designed, manufactured, distributed and
installed, affecting manufacturers, wholesalers, installers and
customers alike.
A: The implications are many for the wholesaler and installer. With
the size and weight of products changing, manufacturing, costs,
transportation, storage, and installation will all be affected. The new
technologies will require additional product and installation training,
and when on the job, new space, venting and condensate removal
requirements may exist.
Q: Are there product changes that
are known at this time?
A: The effect of the new requirements will vary depending on the
fuel source and volume of the water heater. These changes may
be relatively minor in some cases and more radical on larger
volume products.
Q: How will gas water heaters be
affected?
A: Gas models may require additional insulation, incorporate
newer flue baffling technologies (including flue dampers),
incorporate electronic ignition in lieu of the standing pilot, or any
combination of these. One likely impact will be an increase in the
overall product size, especially in diameter. For gas-fired products,
over 55 gallons (< 75,000 BTU/Hr.), fully condensing combustion
technology will likely be required, based on currently available
technologies that are capable of meeting the new requirements.
This will also mean that line voltage will have to be available, as
well as a means for condensate disposal.
Q: How will electric water heaters
be affected?
A: Electric water heaters will likely require more insulation. This
will increase the diameter and/or height of the water heater.
Additional insulation may be required for piping and fittings such
as drain and T&P valves. Electric water heaters over 55 gallons
(< 12 kW input) will likely utilize integrated heat pumps to meet
the new EF requirements, based on currently available technology.
Q: Will oil-fired water heaters be
affected?
A: Similar challenges are faced with the oil-fired products. Much
like gas products, oil-fired water heaters will likely require
additional insulation and/or completely new combustion systems.
On the positive side, when products become more complex, it is
less likely that they will be purchased and installed by the do-ityourself consumer. Therefore, a potential impact of the 2015 water
heater changes will be an increase in the share sold through
wholesale distribution, thereby, increasing installer opportunities.
Q: How can contractors and
wholesalers prepare for this
transition?
A: First and foremost, stay informed. Attend professional seminars
on this topic sponsored by manufacturers, wholesalers, and national
and local trade organizations. As new 2015 compliant products are
released, manufacturers such as Bradford White will be working as
quickly as possible to release product specifications and installation
information to help wholesalers and contractors continue to grow
their businesses under the new requirements.
Q: What is Bradford White doing
about this?
A: Bradford White is committed to helping make the transition to
the 2015 standards as smooth as possible for its valued business
partners, wholesalers and contractors. We began sharing
information with customers and business partners as early as 2011
and more widely in 2012, beginning with the Plumbing-HeatingCooling Contractors Association (PHCC) Convention in Philadelphia.
We are also in the middle of our largest plant expansion in Bradford
White’s history to meet growing demand and to accommodate the
production of additional 2015 ready products. The plant expansion
includes the installation of the most advanced manufacturing
equipment, giving us the capability and flexibility to produce an
even wider variety of 2015 compliant products than what we offer
today. In addition, we opened iTEC™, our International Technical
Excellence Center, to help educate customers and business
partners on a variety of industry topics, including the 2015 DOE
regulations and the new products that will be required.