Mastodawn

YoBuckStopsHere Jul 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.

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themeltingclock Jul 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

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Supervisor194 Jul 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.

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doc Jul 22, 2023

The two models you linked have an estimated annual energy cost of $489 and $119. That's roughly $40 a month vs $10. This would mean you'd come out ahead in total cost over the lifetime of the unit -- parts + install + bills -- at 4 years and 2 months.

Obviously every situation is different, but calculating at an aggregate level and using that math to dismiss the idea wholesale is disingenuous at best.

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Supervisor194

This would mean you’d come out ahead in total cost over the lifetime of the unit – parts + install + bills – at 4 years and 2 months.

You assume that the new models will cost the same to install and fail at the same rate as the old ones. This is not likely correct, the new models will cost more to install and as they are significantly more complex, they have more vectors for failure and a higher rate of failure. What’s more, when they fail they will require more specialized repair that will cost more. The more complex they are, the more likely it is that you will throw them away altogether and get a new one rather than pay the increased cost to repair.

calculating at an aggregate level and using that math to dismiss the idea wholesale is disingenuous at best.

I was absolutely not being disingenuous and I resent the implication. I legitimately think these will cost (way) more in the long run and I know for goddamn certain they will cost more at the point of sale.