Performance of Instantaneous Gas-Fired Water Heaters

摘要

Four different instantaneous, gas-fired water heaters were tested to develop a test method to determine recovery efficiency (Er) and energy factor (EF). All four of the water heaters were from foreign countries (West Germany, the United Kingdom, France and Japan). Various flow rates and water draws were used during the tests to determine their influence on the recovery efficiency and energy factor. In addition, the pilot light power consumption was measured to determine the effect of a variable pilot light power rate on the energy factor. The use of recovery efficiency as a performance index seems appropriate for these units, however, the use of energy factor as presently calculated, needs further study.