DOE Finalizes New Efficiency Standards for Residential Water Heaters

The DOE announced the publication of a final rule yesterday for more stringent efficiency standards for residential water heaters. The new standards for water heaters take effect five years from yesterday while new standards for some direct heating and pool heating equipment covered by the rule become effective in three years. Of note is the requirement for larger residential water heaters to be either heat pump equipped if electric or condensing if gas by the effective date. You can read the final rule here.