Boston - Four water heater manufacturers, Bradford White Water Heaters, Rheem Water Heating, Rinnai America Corp. and A. O. Smith Water Heaters, have joined forces with the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE), a consortium of efficiency program administrators from across the U.S. and Canada, to become part of the Coalition for Energy Star Water Heaters.

To increase awareness of Energy Star water heaters and demand in the market, CEE formed the Coalition for Energy Star Water Heaters. The group is comprised of industry associations, efficiency program administrators and water heater manufacturers who are among those offering a variety of Energy Star models.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2009, manufacturers were allowed to apply the Energy Star label for the first time to qualifying models. To be eligible for Energy Star, a gas-fired water heater must have a minimum energy factor of 0.62 for storage water heaters, a minimum EF of 0.80 for condensing storage water heaters, or a minimum EF of 0.82 for tankless water heaters. The Energy Star criteria for gas-fired storage water heaters will increase to 0.67 on Sept. 1, 2010. Criteria have also been established for heat pump water heaters and solar water heating systems.

Energy Star models will continue to advance energy efficiency, help reduce energy consumption and save money through reduced utility bills. Water heating is typically the second largest home energy expenditure behind heating and cooling. Because it can account for as much as 15% to 17% of overall energy use in an average household, switching to an Energy Star water heater creates significant savings.

Additional information is available at: www.eswaterheaters.com.