The Biden administration has mandated energy standards that effectively force electric water heater manufacturers to switch to heat pump technology, raising concerns about the high upfront cost of such heaters and viability in colder climates.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) finalized energy efficiency standards for electric water heaters, requiring manufacturers to use heat pump technology in the appliances. Manufacturers have to comply with the new standards beginning in 2029, which will make over 50 percent of newly manufactured electric storage water heaters use heat pump technology compared to just three percent at present. The new standards will “accelerate” the adoption of heat pump water heaters across the country, the agency stated….
