Efficiency evaluation and consumer economic analysis of domestic water heaters

Technical Report · Fri Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1978

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6553036· OSTI ID:6553036

Slaughter, G. G.; Spann, D. E.

The performances of one gas-fired and two electric storage-type water heaters were characterized experimentally as a function of water tank temperature. For both types of heaters the application of additional insulation was highly cost effective. For the gas-fired water heater the pilot burner flue losses (92% at a water temperature of 150/sup 0/F (65.6/sup 0/C)) were reduced in a cost-effective manner by either pilot-orifice restriction or flue blocking with electric ignition. In addition, an electrically powered burner, with flue modifications, increased the heat-exchange efficiency of the main burner from 72 to 85% at 160/sup 0/F (71.1/sup 0/C). The heat-loss rate per unit of bare-tank area is a useful number in assessing the energy-conservation potential of a water heater.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 6553036
• Report Number(s): ORNL/CON-5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
291000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Conservation
298000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Consumption & Utilization
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320101 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Residential Buildings-- (-1987)
APPLIANCES
CONSUMER GUIDES
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC APPLIANCES
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
ENERGY LOSSES
EVALUATION
GAS APPLIANCES
HEAT LOSSES
HEATERS
LOSSES
MODIFICATIONS
PERFORMANCE
RESIDENTIAL SECTOR
THERMAL INSULATION
WATER HEATERS