It’s disappointing that more fact checking isn’t done before releasing information contained in training videos.
Training videos should be held to a higher standard than this MB for instance. “Facts” can be disputed on the board and corrections made. The videos will be considered definitive by a trainee and to have false or misleading information in them could set up a HI up for embarrassment at least and potential lawsuits at worst.
I found his information from the Department of Energy on the efficiency requirement for water heaters and development of Energy star Ratings for them**. **I have included the letter not to issue energystar standards in 2004 and a link to the continuing development of an EnergyStar standard for water heaters.
As I understand it, Manufacturers do not have to produce EnergyStar rated appliances. It is a government sponsored program to develop appliance standards in cooperation with manufactures to give consumers more information with which to make a decision when they purchase appliances with regard to cost of operation.
I cannot imagine manufactures reducing the lifecycle of their product just to get the EnergyStar rating as they would be destryoing their reputaion in the process. But who knows for sure.
About EnergyStar
**Water Heater Criteria Development(includes timeline of standard development)
**
**Department of Energy **
Washington, DC
January 6, 2004](http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=new_specs.water_heaters)(link to complete letter)
Over the past year, the Department of Energy has investigated whether it would be feasible to
establish ENERGY STAR criteria for domestic water heaters. In April 2003, we issued a report
on the options available to the Department, including the labeling of “conventional” (gas and
electric tanked technologies) or, alternatively, pursuing the option of labeling any or all of the
“non-conventional” technologies (solar, tankless, gas condensing and heat pump water heaters).
After analyzing the market, the potential energy savings and economics of the various
technologies, and considering feedback from stakeholders, **the Department of Energy has
decided not to establish ENERGY STAR criteria for domestic water heaters at this time.
Release of EnergyStar program requirements letter for water heaters
April 1, 2008
**Dear ENERGY STAR® Partners and Stakeholders:
The Department of Energy (DOE) is pleased to issue the enclosed final program requirements for ENERGY STAR Residential Water Heaters.
We appreciate the time and effort you have contributed. Your comments were evaluated and accounted for throughout the decision-making process. We look forward to working with you as we implement the new criteria.
DOE is including residential high-efficiency gas storage water heaters in the program at a minimum Energy Factor of 0.62. However, DOE will sunset this minimum level on August 31, 2010, requiring a minimum Energy Factor of 0.67 thereon for gas storage models. It is our intent to accelerate the provision of high-performance gas storage water heaters in the market by establishing a goal for manufacturers to meet.
DOE is including residential whole-home gas tankless water heaters at a minimum Energy Factor of 0.82. DOE reduced the minimum gallons-per-minute (gpm) requirement from 3.0 in the previous draft criteria to 2.5 gpm at a 77°F rise. This will allow qualified units to be compatible with the hot water demand of apartments and condominium occupants while not penalizing whole home applications.
DOE is including residential gas condensing water heaters with a minimum Energy Factor of 0.80, residential drop-in or integrated heat pump water heaters with the minimum Energy Factor set at 2.0, and residential solar water heaters in the program, requiring a minimum Solar Fraction of 0.50.