How Efficient Is Your Oil-Fired Water Heater?
Breaking down water heater efficiency ratings so you can make informed choices.
If your home’s water heater is getting up in years, it may not be as energy-efficient as it used to be. That can be a problem for your household budget because you need to heat water every single day. In fact, water heating accounts for roughly 18% of the average home’s energy spending.
For homeowners in Wading River and throughout Long Island’s North Fork and East End, ensuring your home runs efficiently is a top priority. In this article, we’ll discuss how efficient heating oil water heaters are and why you may benefit from an upgrade.
Is Heating Oil an Efficient Way to Heat Water?
Modern oil-fired water heaters are an exceptionally efficient option for your home. One of the most significant advantages is their impressive recovery rate, which is the amount of hot water a unit can produce in an hour.
Oil-fired water heaters have some of the fastest recovery rates on the market, often exceeding 100 gallons per hour. This is because heating oil generates a high amount of heat energy — about 138,500 Btu per gallon. For comparison, electric water heaters typically have a recovery rate of only around 20 gallons per hour. That means an oil-fired unit can replenish your hot water supply much faster, ensuring you don’t run out of hot water after a shower or running the dishwasher.
How Is Water Heater Efficiency Measured?
To help consumers compare different models, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) created a standard measurement called the Uniform Energy Factor (UEF). In place since 2017, the UEF rating tells you how much energy a water heater uses to heat water.
As a general rule, a higher UEF rating means a more efficient water heater. Most conventional storage-tank water heaters have a UEF rating between 0.63 and 0.95. For products made before 2017, you can look for a yellow EnergyGuide label, which contains efficiency information like:
- First Hour Rating: How much hot water a tank-style heater can produce in its first hour.
- Gallons Per Minute (GPM): How many gallons an on-demand unit can heat in one minute.
- Estimated Yearly Energy Cost: The approximate annual cost to operate the unit.
What Is an Indirect-Fired Water Heater?
An indirect-fired water heater is one of the most efficient water heating systems available today. Instead of creating its own heat, it uses the heat generated by your boiler. It contains a heat exchanger that transfers warmth from your heating system to the water stored in its tank.
When paired with a high-efficiency oil-fired boiler, an indirect-fired water heater can provide some of the lowest-cost hot water generation possible. Essentially, whenever your boiler is running to heat your home, it’s also heating your water at no extra cost. It’s no wonder our technicians are installing more of these efficient units every year.
Talk to Burt’s Reliable About a Water Heater Upgrade
If your current water heater is over a decade old, its efficiency has likely declined, especially without regular maintenance. Planning to replace it before it fails can save you from the headache of a sudden cold-water crisis.
The team at Burt’s Reliable can help. We sell, install and service top-quality, energy-efficient oil-fired water heaters from leading brands like Bock and Vaughn. Our experienced technicians will help you find the perfect model for your family’s needs and install it with minimal disruption.
Let’s maximize your home’s hot water and reduce your energy spending. Contact Burt’s Reliable today for a FREE estimate on a new water heater