Domestic gas water heater market assessment. Final report November 1980-May 198

The market impact of energy efficiency improvement design concepts for residential gas water heaters was evaluated in this study. Several advanced water heater concepts were examined; the forced-draft and power-burner concepts had the most attractive combination of efficiency and low incremental first cost. The following items relating to the efficiency improvements were examined: possible annual natural gas savings; economic factors of payback period and change in life cycle cost; durability and serviceability; utility and consumer appeal; legal and marketplace barriers; past or current related work.