The U.S. Department of Energy has decided to update energy conservation standards for gas-fired instantaneous water heaters. These changes aim to make the heaters more energy-efficient, leading to significant energy savings while being both technologically feasible and economically justified. Starting December 26, 2029, manufacturers will need to comply with these new standards, which are calculated to save energy and money over the lifetime of the heaters and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, despite potential minor increases in electricity use. The overall benefits include costs savings for consumers and emissions reductions, though there will be conversion costs for manufacturers to meet these standards.
Simple Explanation
The government has made a new rule to make gas water heaters use less energy, which helps the planet and saves money. By the year 2029, companies that make these heaters need to follow these new rules to make sure the heaters are better for the environment and cost less to use over time.