Efficiency Evaluation and Consumer Economic Analysis of Domestic Water Heaters

摘要

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 exp 0 F (65.6 exp 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 exp 0 F (71.1 exp 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. (ERA citation 04:006107)