YoBuckStopsHereJul 21, 2023

US plans water heater standards, says will save consumers $11 bln yearly

https://lemmy.world/post/1943450

US plans water heater standards, says will save consumers $11 bln yearly - Lemmy.world

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.

Show threadthemeltingclockJul 21, 2023
Looking forward to the “reeeeee” from folks who will somehow equate this to think that the gubment is coming for their precious water heater
Show threadSupervisor194Jul 21, 2023

So I can’t stand it when people do the “reeeee” thing either, but this one kind of bugs me.

$11.4 billion in savings per year for 332 million people averages to $34 per year.

Here is a typical electric water heater. Cost: $439. Here is one with a heat pump installed as described in the article. Cost: $1,909 - a difference in price of $1,470.

At $34 per year, this water heater would have to last 43 years before any cost savings from the efficiency gains would be realized.

Gas units fare similarly, with typical units verses high efficiency units’ price differential.

It’s hard to be a homeowner these days. This will make it harder. I can accept it in the name of efficiency gains and saving the planet and all that, but the whole “this will save consumers money,” bit is pure gaslighting. It’s not true.

Show threadBandoCalrissian

You’re probably right about it not saving enough money, but the math you did above assumes one water heater per person.

The median household in the US is about 2.5 people. So $34 per year per person becomes $85 per household. Reducing the time to break even to 17.3 years.

Still longer than that water heater is likely to last, but not quite as bad.

Jul 22, 2023 at 1:03amWeb
Show threadSupervisor194Jul 22, 2023
True, that actually makes me feel slightly better. But nothing’s going to make me feel better when I go to buy a new water heater and it costs three times as much as the last one did.