B-i

APPENDIX B. WATER HEATER PRICE DATABASE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

B.1 WATER HEATER PRICE DATABASE - DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1

B.1.1 Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1

B.1.2 Data Collection Approach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1

B.1.3 Database Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-2

B.1.4 Quality Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-5

B.1.5 Additional Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-5

B.2 WATER HEATER PRICE DATABASE - SUMMARY OF DATA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-5

B.2.1 Water Heaters by Rated Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-6

B.2.2 Water Heaters by Manufacturer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-8

B.2.3 Water Heaters by Shape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-10

B.2.4 Water Heaters by Insulation Thickness Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-12

B.2.5 Water Heaters by Heat Trap Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-15

B.2.6 Water Heaters by Vent Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-17

B.2.7 Water Heaters by Electronic Ignition Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-18

B.2.8 Water Heaters by Length of Store Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-19

B.2.9 Water Heaters by Installation Cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-22

 TABLES

Table B.1 Variables and Definitions in Source Information Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-2

Table B.2 Variables and Definitions in Price Information Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-3

Table B.3 Variables and Definitions from Model Information Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-4

Table B.4a Electric Water Heaters by Rated Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-6

Table B.4b Gas-Fired Water Heaters by Rated Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-7

Table B.5a Reported Electric Water Heaters by Manufacturer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-8

Table B.5b Reported Gas-Fired Water Heaters by Manufacturer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-9

Table B.6a Reported Electric Water Heaters by Shape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-11

Table B.6b Reported Gas-Fired Water Heaters by Shape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-12

Table B.7a Reported Electric Water Heaters by Insulation Thickness Feature . . . . . . . . . B-13

Table B.7b Reported Gas-Fired Water Heaters by Insulation Thickness Feature . . . . . . . B-14

Table B.8a Electric Water Heaters by Heat Trap Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-15

Table B.8b Gas-Fired Water Heaters by Heat Trap Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-16

Table B.9 Reported Gas-Fired Water Heaters by Vent Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-17

Table B.10 Reported Gas-Fired Water Heaters by Electronic Ignition Feature . . . . . . . . . B-18

Table B.11a Reported Electric Water Heaters by Length of Store Warranty (in Years) . . . B-20

Table B.11b Reported Gas-Fired Water Heaters by Length of Store 

Warranty (in Years) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-21

Table B.12 Count of Water Heater Models Reported with Services and Fees . . . . . . . . . . B-22
B-ii

 FIGURES

Figure B.1a Distribution of Electric Water Heaters by Rated Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-7

Figure B.1b Distribution of Gas-Fired Water Heaters by Rated Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-8

Figure B.2a Reported Electric Water Heaters by Manufacturer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-9

Figure B.2b Reported Gas-Fired Water Heaters by Manufacturer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-10

Figure B.3a Distribution of Electric Water Heaters by Shape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-11

Figure B.3b Distribution of Gas-Fired Water Heaters by Shape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-12

Figure B.4a Distribution of Electric Water Heaters by Insulation Thickness Feature . . . . . B-13

Figure B.4b Distribution of Gas-Fired Water Heaters by Insulation Thickness Feature . . . B-14

Figure B.5a Distribution of Electric Water Heaters by Heat Trap Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-16

Figure B.5b Distribution of Gas-Fired Water Heaters by Heat Trap Option . . . . . . . . . . . . B-17

Figure B.6 Distribution of Gas-Fired Water Heaters by Vent Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-18

Figure B.7 Distribution of Total Gas-Fired Water Heaters by Electronic 

Ignition Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-19

Figure B.8a Distribution of Electric Water Heaters by Length of Store Warranty 

(in Years) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-20

Figure B.8b Distribution of Gas-Fired Water Heaters by Length of Store Warranty 

(in Years) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-21

Figure B.9a Distribution of Electric Water Heaters by Fee Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-23

Figure B.9b Distribution of Gas-Fired Water Heaters by Fee Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-23
B-1

APPENDIX B. WATER HEATER PRICE DATABASE

This appendix provides supplemental information for Chapter 5, Retail Prices. It focuses

on a description of the Water Heater Price Database and its contents. These data are widely used

throughout most of the water heater analysis. A summary of data contained in the database is also

presented and discussed, targeting the most important variables. Distribution breakdowns in the

form of tables and pie charts are available for review based on these data.

B.1 WATER HEATER PRICE DATABASE - DESCRIPTION

B.1.1 Background

LBNL, with assistance from the Arthur D. Little, Inc. (ADL) and Pacific Northwest National

Laboratory (PNNL), developed a database of specifications and retail prices for water heaters

currently for sale in the U.S. This project was begun in 1997. The data collection and retail price

analysis were completed in 1999. The information in the database includes changes made in

response to comments received at the DOE Water Heater Workshop held on November 9-10, 1998.1

For the purposes of this analysis, the database was utilized in several ways. First, it was used

to develop the median retail prices for all sizes of baseline water heaters as well as for median water

heater installation costs. This information, together with the total water heater manufacturing costs,

is used in the engineering analysis (Chapter 8) to determine manufacturer-to-retailer markup.

Second, the distribution of retail prices and installation costs is used in the life-cycle cost analysis

(Chapter 9). Third, the information contained in the database is a very useful reference tool and aids

in determining the characteristics of water heaters currently on the market.

B.1.2 Data Collection Approach

The Water Heater Price Database contains information from a variety of sources, including

more than 130 retailers, wholesalers, plumbers, contractors, and utility companies from all regions

of the U.S. Information appears for more than 1,100 models, including retail prices, fees

(installation, delivery, etc.), and length of manufacturer warranty. Detailed product specification

information (i.e., certified energy factor, first hour ratings) from manufacturer product literature,

phone calls to manufacturer technical information hotlines, Gas Appliance Manufacturers

Association (GAMA), and California Energy Commission (CEC) directories is also included.
B-2

B.1.3 Database Structure

The database contains three principal tables: the Source Information Table, the Price

Information Table, and the Model Information Table. An additional table, Field Definitions Table,

and a report entitled Introduction to Database, provide descriptive information but do not include

water heater data. 

The first three tables describe water heater model characteristics, retail prices and various

installation costs. The Introduction to Database report describes the database and the Field

Definitions Table defines the variables contained in the first three tables. The entire database is in

Microsoft Access format.

The Source Information Table contains six fields that display information about sources from

which water heater data were obtained. The table shows 131 sources. Table B.1 lists the variables

and definitions in the Source Information Table.

Table B.1 Variables and Definitions in Source Information Table

Variable

Name Variable Definition

SeqNum Sequential number of records in the Source Information Table

StoreCode Number assigned to information source; references the Price Information Table

CallDate Date the store was contacted

Phone_Web Cost data collected from telephone conversation or web page

StoreState State in which store is located

SalesTax Sales tax at store location
B-3

The Price Information Table consists of 10 fields with information about prices of water

heaters reported by sources listed in the Source Information Table. There are 1,031 different water

heater models listed in this table. Table B.2 lists the variables and definitions in the Price

Information Table.

Table B.2 Variables and Definitions in Price Information Table

Variable

Name Variable Definition

SeqNum Sequential number of records in the Price Information Table

StoreCode Number assigned to information source; references the Source Information Table

StoreWarranty Warranty offered by store

RetailPrice Retail price reported by source (sales tax not included)

DeliveryFee Fee reported by source for delivery of water heater (if delivery service is available)

InstallFee Fee reported by source for installation of water heater (if installation service is

available)

RemovalFee Fee reported by source for removal of water heater (if removal service is available)

PermitFee Fee reported by source for permits (if permit fee is available)

PartFee Fee reported by source for standard parts for installation (if part fee is available)

ModelNumber Manufacturer water heater model numbers, references the Model Information Table

The Model Information Table contains 38 fields that provide detailed information about

1,121 water heater models. The data in this table include model numbers, manufacturers, product

brands, product series, energy efficiency information, dimensions, design features, manufacturer

warranties, and product literature references. Table B.3 lists the variables and definitions in the

Model Information Table.
B-4

Table B.3 Variables and Definitions from Model Information Table 

Variable Name Variable Definition

ModelNumber Model number specified by manufacturer, references the Price Information Table

Manufacturer Name of manufacturer

Brand Brand name of water heater

Series Series name of water heater

Baseline "T" (true) indicates baseline model

Fuel Water heater fuel type (natural gas, LPG, oil, or electric)

RatedVolume Manufacturer rated storage volume of the water heater (in gallons)

RatedInputGas Manufacturer rated input in BTU/hr (Gas-fueled models only)

PowerLowerElem Nominal rating of lower element in kW (Electric models only)

PowerUpperElem Nominal rating of upper element in kW (Electric models only)

RatedInputOil Manufacturer rated fuel input in gallons/hour (Oil models only)

Shape Shape of water heater jacket

RE "Recovery Efficiency", given in % (Gas-fueled and oil-fueled models only)

EF "Energy Factor" reported by GAMA Directory and/or CEC Directory

EF-ProdLit "Energy Factor" reported by manufacturer in the product literature

FirstHrRating "First Hour Rating" is a measure of the water heater's ability to provide hot water in gallons

Gallons90F Gallon per hour recovery rate at a 90 degree F temperature rise

InsulThick Jacket insulation thickness, in inches

HeatTrap "T" (true) indicates that the model comes with heat traps, "F" (false) indicates that the model does

not come with heat traps

HeatTrapOption "T" (true) indicates that the model can be optionally equipped with heat traps

Height Height of the water heater (from the bottom to the top of the jacket), in inches

Diameter Diameter of the water heater jacket, in inches

VentType Type of vent

VentDiam Vent diameter, in inches

AnodeRod Type, material, and/or position of the anode rod

DrainValve Material of the drain valve

Burner Type or material of the burner (Gas and Oil models only)

ElecIgnition "T" (true) indicates that the model is equipped with electronic ignition, >blank< indicates that the

model is not equipped with electronic ignition (Gas-fueled models only)

Lining Type or material of water heater tank lining

Condensing Indicates that the model is designed to condense water vapor in the flue gases (Gas models only)

Weight Shipping weight of water heater, in pounds

MfrWarranty Warranty issued by the manufacturer

PartsWarranty Parts warranty issued by the manufacturer

RegulatedProduct Model covered by NAECA

GAMADirectory Checked box = listed in GAMA Directory

CECDirectory Checked box = listed in CEC Directory

ProductLit Number listed on manufacturer's product literature or catalog where model specification

information was found

ReviewDate Date of most recent review

 
B-5

B.1.4 Quality Control

 Initial data quality checks included reviewing ranges of energy factors (EFs) and rated

volumes listed in the database and correcting as necessary. Data identified as outliers were checked

for accuracy using additional sources, including manufacturer product literature, manufacturer

technical support hotlines, and water heater directories.

We also compared the fraction of data sources by U.S. region with the fraction of national

population in the same region. When regions were underrepresented, additional contacts were made

to balance representation.

 In order to insure that correct information had been recorded, water heater model information

was checked against water heater directories and updated manufacturer product literature. As a

result, some vital missing information was added (i.e., EF or design characteristics such as heat traps,

insulation thickness, etc.).

At the start of the quality control process, 5% of entries were erroneous or had missing model

numbers. These errors were largely a result of the practice in some stores of reporting cost data and

store inventory numbers according to internal systems instead of using manufacturer model numbers.

Usually enough associated information was recorded (i.e., brand, warranty, rated volume, etc.) to

match the model sold with the actual manufacturer model number. As a result of supplemental

contacts, we found data on missing model numbers in all but 1% of cases.

B.1.5 Additional Data

Some additional water heater price data were collected by PNNL in December 1998.2 These

data from contractors, utility rebate programs, wholesalers, and retailers added about 200 records to

the Price Information Table. This contribution significantly increased the number of water heater

models reported by wholesale outlets.

B.2 WATER HEATER PRICE DATABASE - SUMMARY OF DATA 

The tables in this appendix summarize the data contained in the Water Heater Price Database

focusing on specific parameters and defining characteristics. Separate tables are shown for electric

and gas-fired water heater models. In many cases, pie charts show percentage breakdowns of

important characteristics.
B-6

B.2.1 Water Heaters by Rated Volume

Tables B.4a and B.4b, respectively, show the number of electric water heaters and gas-fired

water heaters in the database summarized by rated volume.

The sizes of water heaters in the analysis correspond to the sizes reported by GAMA for each

fuel type 3. The first column shows the standard rated volumes for the water heaters used in the

analysis, the second column shows the number of units by rated volume in the database, and the third

column shows the percentage of models that fall in each group. The table footnote indicates that

some of the standard rated volumes may include several different sizes.

 As shown in Tables B.4a and B.4b, the largest percentage of electric water heaters (44%)

have a 50-gal rated volume and the largest percentage of gas-fired water heaters (45%) have a 40-gal

rated volume.

Table B.4a Electric Water Heaters by Rated Volume

Rated Volume

gal

Number of Water Heater

Models in Database

Water Heater Models by

Rated Volume

% of total

30 80 17

40 125 26

50 209 44

65 28 6

80 29 6

>80 6 1

Note: Rated volume of 30-gal includes GAMA listings of 28-gal and 30-gal, 40-gal includes GAMA listings of 38-gal

and 40-gal, 50-gal includes GAMA listings of 50-gal and 52-gal, 65-gal includes GAMA listings of 65-gal and 66-gal

and 80-gal includes GAMA listings of 75-gal, 80-gal and 82-gal. In addition, rated volumes above 80-gal include

GAMA listings of 85-gal, 105-gal, 119-gal and 120-gal.
B-7

Figures B.1a and B.1b provide graphic breakdown of sizes for electric and gas-fired water

heaters, respectively.

30-gal

17%

40-gal

26%

50-gal

44%

65-gal

6%

80-gal

6%

>80-gal

1%

Figure B.1a Distribution of Electric Water Heaters by Rated Volume

Table B.4b Gas-Fired Water Heaters by Rated Volume

Rated Volume

gal

Number of Water Heater

Models in Database

Water Heater Models by

Rated Volume

% of total

30 93 18

40 233 45

50 152 29

75 36 7

>75 4 1

Note: Rated volume of 30-gal includes GAMA listings of 30-gal, 40-gal includes GAMA listings of 38-gal, 39-gal

and 40-gal, 50-gal includes GAMA listings of 48-gal and 50-gal, 75-gal includes GAMA listings of 65-gal and 75-

gal. In addition, rated volumes above 75-gal include GAMA listings of 80-gal and 100-gal.
B-8

30-gal

18%

40-gal

45%

50-gal

29%

>75-gal

1%

75-gal

7%

Figure B.1b Distribution of Gas-Fired Water Heaters by Rated Volume

B.2.2 Water Heaters by Manufacturer

The collected data represent models from six manufacturers of electric water heaters and

seven manufacturers of gas-fired water heaters. Only manufacturers whose water heaters were

reported as being sold by the sources that provided data are included in the Price Information Table.

For this reason, some manufacturers listed in the GAMA directory, such as Aero, Bock, Heat

Transfer Products, and Vaughn, are not found in the tables presented in this appendix. These

manufacturers are represented, however, in the Model Information Table.

Tables B.5a and B.5b display the number of reported water heaters by manufacturer for both

electric and gas-fired water heaters, respectively. Figures B.2a and B.2b show the percentages of the

reported water heaters by manufacturer. 

Table B.5a Reported Electric Water Heaters by Manufacturer

MANUFACTURER 30-gal 40-gal 50-gal 65-gal 80-gal Total

American Water Heater Company 23 43 51 2 3 122

A. O. Smith 16 21 36 12 8 93

Bradford White 2 9 40 2 5 58

GSW 4 2 4 0 0 10

Rheem 13 16 24 8 10 71

State Industries, Inc. 22 34 52 6 9 123

Total 80 125 207 30 35 477
B-9

American 

Water Heater 

Company

26%

A. O. Smith

19%

Bradford 

White

12%

GSW

2%

Rheem 

15%

State 

Industries, Inc.

26%

Figure B.2a Reported Electric Water Heaters by Manufacturer

Table B.5b Reported Gas-Fired Water Heaters by Manufacturer

MANUFACTURER 30 gal 40 gal 50 gal 75 gal Total

American Water Heater Company 26 77 50 8 161

A. O. Smith 17 48 25 10 100

Bradford White 7 26 17 5 55

GSW 1 1 1 0 3

Lochinvar 0 0 1 0 1

Rheem 11 32 20 6 69

State Industries, Inc. 31 49 38 11 129

Total 93 233 152 40 518
B-10

American 

Water 

Heater 

Company

31%

A. O. 

Smith

19%

GSW

1%

Lochinvar

0%

State 

Industries, 

Inc.

25%

Rheem 

13%

Bradford 

White

11%

Figure B.2b Reported Gas-Fired Water Heaters by Manufacturer

B.2.3 Water Heaters by Shape

Water heater shape designations vary according to manufacturer. As a result, water heaters

with different shape designations may have the same actual dimensions. Some manufacturers label

water heater series or “families” with shape names while some do not designate their water heaters

as having a specific shape. Most models in the database do have shape designations and are listed

in Tables B.6a and B.6b according to their rated volume.

Nine shape designations are listed in the Water Heater Price Database for electric water

heaters and eight are listed for gas-fired water heaters. A “Blank” designation has been added for

water heaters with no reported shape designation.

Figures B.3a and B.3b provide graphic breakdowns of shapes for electric and gas-fired water

heaters, respectively.
B-11

Table B.6a Reported Electric Water Heaters by Shape

Shape 30-gal 40-gal 50-gal 65-gal 80-gal Total

Lowboy 8 7 6 0 0 21

Manufacturer Housing 1 0 1 0 0 2

Medium 1 1 4 0 0 6

Regular 3 34 44 2 5 88

Short 5 8 22 0 0 35

Standard 5 3 5 0 0 13

Tabletop 0 4 0 0 0 4

Tall 48 53 90 17 22 230

Upright 6 10 24 6 5 51

(Blank) 3 5 13 3 3 27

Total 80 125 209 28 35 477

Short

7%

Standard

3%

Tabletop

1%

Upright

11%

Tall

49%

Regular

18%

(Blank)

6%

Manufac 

Housing

0%

Lowboy

4%

Medium

1%

Figure B.3a Distribution of Electric Water Heaters by Shape
B-12

Table B.6b Reported Gas-Fired Water Heaters by Shape

Shape 30-gal 40-gal 50-gal 75-gal Total

Lowboy 0 2 0 0 2

Manufacturer Housing 2 6 0 0 8

Medium 1 0 0 0 1

Short 11 44 8 4 67

Standard 9 24 16 6 55

Tall 66 133 114 26 339

(Blank) 4 24 14 4 46

Total 93 233 152 40 518

Standard

11%

Tall

65%

Short

13%

Lowboy

0%

Medium

0%

(Blank)

9%

Manufac 

Housing

2%

Figure B.3b Distribution of Gas-Fired Water Heaters by Shape

B.2.4 Water Heaters by Insulation Thickness Feature

The jacket (sides and top) of water heaters are insulated with polyurethane foam or fiberglass.

Most water heaters on the market today have at least 1-in. (2.5 cm) thick foam insulation, while some

manufacturers provide 2- or 3-in. (5.1 or 7.6 cm) thick insulation.

Water heater insulation thickness varies between models and affects energy efficiency. The

thickness is listed in the database in inches (manufacturers sometimes specify insulation thickness

in inches and sometimes with an ‘R’ number, which is a measure of the thermal resistance of the

insulation). The insulation thickness ranges from 1-in. to 3-in., in quarter inch (1/4-in.) increments.

There are ten thickness designations listed in this table, including an “Unknown” specification for

those models for which no insulation thickness information about was available.
B-13

1"

19%

1.25"

3%

1.5"

3%

1.75"

17% 2"

40%

3"

5%

Unknown

0%

2.75"

3%

2.5"

10%

Tables B.7a and B.7b display the number of reported water heaters with various insulation

thicknesses for electric and gas-fired water heaters, respectively. Figures B.4a and B.4b provide the

percentage breakdowns for reported water heaters by insulation thickness.

Table B.7a Reported Electric Water Heaters by Insulation Thickness Feature

Insulation

Thickness

30-gal 40-gal 50-gal 65-gal 80-gal Total

1" 18 28 28 8 8 90

1.25" 4 5 4 2 1 16

1.5" 1 0 14 0 1 16

1.75" 13 21 37 4 4 79

2" 36 60 71 11 13 191

2.25" 0 0 0 0 0 0

2.5" 5 8 29 2 5 49

2.75" 2 3 5 0 2 12

3" 0 0 21 1 1 23

Unknown 1 0 0 0 0 1

Total 80 125 209 28 35 477

Figure B.4a Distribution of Electric Water Heaters by Insulation Thickness Feature
B-14

Table B.7b Reported Gas-Fired Water Heaters by Insulation Thickness Feature

Insulation

Thickness

30-gal 40-gal 50-gal 75-gal Total

1" 60 168 100 15 343

1.25" 2 3 3 4 12

1.5" 0 0 0 0 0

1.75" 0 0 0 0 0

2" 15 47 25 14 101

2.25" 0 0 0 0 0

2.5" 0 1 1 2 4

2.75" 0 0 0 0 0

3" 0 0 0 0 0

Unknown 16 14 23 5 58

Total 93 233 152 40 518

1"

67%

1.25"

2%

2"

19%

2.5"

1%

Unknown

11%

Figure B.4b Distribution of Gas-Fired Water Heaters by Insulation Thickness Feature
B-15

B.2.5 Water Heaters by Heat Trap Option

The database contains information about whether or not a listed water heater model is

equipped with heat traps. Heat traps are a standard design feature of many models, but this is not

true of all models nor are heat traps required for operation. In many cases, heat traps can be installed

depending on the type of water heater and the water heater model design. Heat traps affect and

usually improve the energy-efficiency performance of water heaters and are therefore an important

design feature in performance analysis.

In reference to Tables B.8a and B.8b, a T (True) indicates that the designated water heaters

are equipped with heat traps. An F (False) indicates that the designated water heaters are not

equipped with heat traps. A 0 (zero) means that it is unknown whether or not the designated water

heaters are equipped with heat traps; the information either was not reported or is not provided in

product literature. All manufacturers who make water heaters that could benefit from the heat trap

design option offer energy-saving models that incorporate heat traps. They can either be installed

at the factory or on site. For this reason, a designation of F (False) in the database does not indicate

that a water heater is unable to support a heat trap, rather, it indicates that the water heater is not

equipped with heat traps when it comes from the factory.

Figures B.5a and B.5b provide percentage breakdowns of water heaters by heat trap option

for electric and gas-fired water heaters, respectively.

In general, a majority of water heaters reported for each fuel category are listed as not being

equipped with heat traps.

Table B.8a Electric Water Heaters by Heat Trap Option

Heat Trap 30-gal 40-gal 50-gal 65-gal 80-gal Total

T 27 45 81 4 14 171

F 52 80 127 24 20 303

0 1 0 1 0 1 3

Total 80 125 209 28 35 477

 
B-16

T 

36%

F

63%

No Info

1%

Figure B.5a Distribution of Electric Water Heaters by Heat Trap Option

Table B.8b Gas-Fired Water Heaters by Heat Trap Option

Heat Trap 30 gal 40 gal 50 gal 75 gal Total

T 12 36 31 5 84

F 80 196 121 32 429

0 1 1 0 3 5

Total 93 233 152 40 518
B-17

T 

16%

F

83%

No Info

1%

Figure B.5b Distribution of Gas-Fired Water Heaters by Heat Trap Option

B.2.6 Water Heaters by Vent Type

Some gas-fired water heaters are equipped with special vent features, such as direct vents,

power vents, through-the-wall vents, and side-wall vents (electric is not represented). Table B.9 and

Figure B.6 display the number of water heaters that have special vents. 

Table B.9 Reported Gas-Fired Water Heaters by Vent Type

Vent Type 30-gal 40-gal 50-gal 75-gal Total

Direct Vent 0 5 0 0 5

Power Vent 7 20 16 10 53

Power Vent, Through-the-Wall 0 6 2 0 8

Side-Wall Vent 0 2 1 0 3

Standard Vent 86 200 133 30 449

Total 93 233 152 40 518
B-18

Standard 

Vent

86%

Direct 

Vent

1%

Side-Wall 

Vent

1%

Power 

Vent, 

Throughthe-Wall

2%

Power 

Vent

10%

Figure B.6 Distribution of Gas-Fired Water Heaters by Vent Type

B.2.7 Water Heaters by Electronic Ignition Features

Electronic ignition systems can replace the standing pilot. The electronic ignition feature is

only available for gas-fired water heaters. Table B.10 and Figure B.7 display the number and

percentages of reported water heaters with the electronic ignition feature and with the standing pilot.

Table B.10 Reported Gas-Fired Water Heaters by Electronic Ignition Feature

Feature 30-gal 40-gal 50-gal 75-gal Total

Electronic Ignition 6 15 12 7 40

Standing Pilot 87 218 140 33 478
B-19

Electronic 

Ignition

8%

Standing 

Pilot

92%

Figure B.7 Distribution of Total Gas-Fired Water Heaters by Electronic Ignition Feature

B.2.8 Water Heaters by Length of Store Warranty

Every water heater comes with a warranty, usually set by the manufacturer. Since the

warranty period directly affects the water heater price, retailers may sell water heaters with their own

warranties. Tables B.11a and B.11b display the store warranty periods for water heaters reported in

the Water Heater Price Database.

Figures B.8a and B.8b provide percentage breakdowns of reported water heaters by length

of store warranty for electric and gas-fired water heaters, respectively.
B-20

Table B.11a Reported Electric Water Heaters by Length of Store Warranty (in Years)

Warranty Period

years

30-gal 40-gal 50-gal 65-gal 80-gal Total

 1 4 0 0 0 0 4

 3 0 0 0 0 1 1

 5 47 58 93 14 11 223

 6 17 25 54 7 11 114

 7 0 0 0 0 0 0

 8 3 25 27 2 2 59

10 7 16 24 5 7 59

20 0 0 1 0 0 1

 Lifetime 1 1 6 0 3 11

Not Reported 1 0 4 0 0 5

Total 80 125 209 28 35 477

5

48%

6

24%

8

12%

3

0%

1

1%

20

0% 10

12%

Lifetime

2%

Not 

Reported

1%

Figure B.8a Distribution of Electric Water Heaters by Length of Store Warranty 

(in Years)
B-21

Table B.11b Reported Gas-Fired Water Heaters by Length of Store Warranty (in Years)

Warranty Period

years

30-gal 40-gal 50-gal 75-gal Total

 1 2 0 0 0 2

 3 0 0 0 2 2

 5 48 90 54 14 206

 6 22 55 38 15 130

 7 0 2 1 0 3

 8 8 37 28 3 76

10 12 43 28 6 89

20 0 0 0 0 0

Lifetime 0 0 0 0 0

Not Reported 1 6 3 0 10

Total 93 233 152 40 518

5

40%

6

25%

7

1%

8

15%

10

17%

1

0% 3

0%

Not 

Reported

2%

Figure B.8b Distribution of Gas-Fired Water Heaters by Length of Store Warranty 

(in Years)
B-22

B.2.9 Water Heaters by Installation Cost

Installation costs were collected with retail price data. Five types of fees listed in the database

make up the installation costs used in the analysis: delivery fee, installation fee, removal fee, permit

fee, and parts fee. The delivery fee is the cost to deliver the purchased water heater to the consumer’s

home or building. The installation fee is the charge to the consumer to install a water heater. The

removal fee is the charge to the consumer for removing an existing water heater and usually includes

disposal of the removed water heater. The permit fee reflects the charge for a water heater installation

permit. The parts fee is the fee charged to the consumer for parts provided by the installer. Each fee

listed in the database refers to a charge set by the distributor for the specific service provided.

Fees were not reported for each distributor because many retailers do not offer the services

that would result in fees or they combine several fees into the retail price. Table B.12 shows the

breakdown by fee for the two main fuel types. 

Table B.12 Count of Water Heater Models Reported with Services and Fees

Fee Type Electric Gas

Delivery Fee 23 24

Installation Fee 234 281

Removal Fee 40 38

Permit Fee 28 30

Parts Fee 17 5

Of the stores that provided sales information on electric water heaters, 49.1% reported

installation prices. Of those stores that provided sales information on gas-fired water heaters, 54.2%

reported installation prices. 

Figures B.9a and B.9b display the distribution of water heaters by fee type for electric and gasfired water heaters, respectively.
B-23

Delivery Fee

7%

Installation 

Fee

68%

Removal 

Fee

12%

Permit Fee

8%

Parts Fee

5%

Figure B.9a Distribution of Electric Water Heaters by Fee Type

Installation 

Fee

75%

Removal 

Fee

10%

Permit Fee

8%

Parts Fee

1%

Delivery 

Fee

6%

Figure B.9b Distribution of Gas-Fired Water Heaters by Fee Type
B-24

REFERENCES

1. U.S. Department of Energy-Office of Codes and Standards, Workshop Regarding Water

Heater Energy Efficiency Standards, Preliminary Analysis,1998.

<http://www.eren.doe.gov/buildings/codes_standards/notices/notc0017/index.htm>

2. U.S. Department of Energy-Office of Codes and Standards, Water Heater Price

Database, 1999. (Last accessed April 26, 1999).

<http://www.eren.doe.gov/buildings/codes_standards/applbrf/waterheater.htm>

3. Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association, Consumers' Directory of Certified Efficiency

Ratings for Residential Heating and Water Heating Equipment, April, 1999. Cortland, NY.

Including First Supplement dated May 1999. Prepared by Intertek Testing Services.