Maytag Natural Gas Water Heaters manual Cost Comparisons

losses, and the energy lost as the unit cycles on and off. The higher the EF, the more energy-efficient the water heater is.

The federal government uses these ratings in energy conservation programs that set minimum efficiency standards for equipment. The EF ratings for all water heaters manufactured in the United States can be found in the Consumer’s Directory of Certified Efficiency Ratings for Residential Heating and Water Heating Equipment, published twice a year by the GasAppliance Manufacturers Association in Arlington, Va. The publication, which is usually available in public libraries, also lists first-hour recovery ratings and tank sizes for all water heaters sold in the United States.

In most parts of the country, a natural gas water heater can operate for about half the cost of an electric water heater...

EFs for natural gas water heaters currently range from 0.43 to 0.86, with the mid-size models ranging from 0.52 to 0.65.

Note: While electric water heaters have higher EFs than gas water heaters, that doesn’t mean they will be more eco- nomic to operate, because electricity costs considerably more than natural gas for the same amount of energy. For 1999, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that natural gas for residential customers on a national average basis will cost $6.88 per million Btu, a standard measurement of energy. By comparison, electricity is estimated to cost $24.09 per million Btu.

Cost Comparisons

To determine the actual cost of using a water heater, you should look at both the purchase price of the equip- ment and its lifetime operating costs. In most parts of the country, a natural gas water heater can operate for about half the cost of an electric water heater, although a natural gas water heater may cost a little more to buy. Similarly, a natu-

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