Water heaters

• Choosing a new water heater
• Rebates & financing
• Where to buy
• Download rebate application
• For more information

Where does hot water go? For the average household, 50% of all energy consumed by an electric hot water heater goes to showers and baths. Dish washing makes up an additional 17%, and clothes washing uses 11%.

Standby losses, the energy used to keep the water in the tank hot, account for up to 12% of energy consumption in electric models. In contrast, natural gas water heaters devote up to 57% of their energy use to combustion and standby losses due to energy waste out the flue.

Choosing a new water heater

If your water heater is 10 or more years old, it might be wise to replace it. Many people wait until their water heater fails. Then, when faced with a puddle on the floor and no hot water they don't have time to shop for the best priced, highest efficiency models. That's too bad, because like most appliances, prices and operating costs can vary widely.

Two ways to determine energy-efficiency ratings:

1. EnergyGuide: The yellow EnergyGuide sticker on most water heaters makes it easy to compare energy-efficiency ratings between various models. It estimates the annual amount of electricity the water heater will use in a typical home. To calculate the estimated annual operating cost, multiply this number by our electricity rate of $0.062. Don't use the electric rate on the sticker, since it is a national average and is much higher than our rates.

2. Energy Factor: Another indicator of a water heater's efficiency is its Energy Factor (EF). This is based on how efficiently the water is heated and how much heat is lost from the stored water. The higher the EF, the more efficient the water heater. New electric water heaters have an EF of between 0.88 and 0.95, but we recommend purchasing a unit with an EF of 0.93 or greater, depending on its size. Natural Gas water heaters have EF ratings of 0.43 to 0.68, because they lose more energy through standby losses. Most product literature will list the EF rating.

Rebates

We offer a rebate of $250 or 50% of the purchase price, whichever is less, on lifetime warrantied energy-efficient electric water heaters. Financing is available to PUD customers on approved credit.

The tank must meet eligibility requirements (see below) and be installed in a home or business served by the PUD. Lifetime warrantied tanks must have a manufacturer's warranty against leakage for as long as the original purchaser owns the home in which the tank is installed.

Eligibility requirements for rebates:

» Tanks with a storage volume of 60 gallons or less must have an Energy Factor (EF) of 0.93 or greater.

» Tanks with a storage volume of over 60 gallons must have an EF of 0.91 or greater.

Rebates - We will pay your rebate by check or as a credit on your electric account. Rebate forms are available at our office, or you may download a rebate form in Adobe pdf format (70kb). Participating Dealers also have rebate forms available at their stores.

Where to buy

These local dealers stock at least one model of lifetime-warrantied water heater. You are not required to purchase from them in order to receive a rebate from the PUD. Financing is available to qualified PUD customers. Terms are 0% interest for 12 months, billed with your electric account.  Please call our Energy Experts at (503) 366-5470 for loan approval before you shop.

Scappoose

Columbia NW Heating *
(503) 543-3624

Scappoose Ace Hardware •
(503) 543-6317

* Installs water heaters
• Offers instant rebates & financing

St. Helens

Ace Hardware •
(503) 397-2244

Illias Plumbing *
Phone (503) 397-3941

NW Plumbing Services *•
(503) 366-1323

RLJ Plumbing *•
(503) 397-4947

Sharp's Plumbing *
(503) 397-7900

Stan's Refrigeration •
(503) 397-5510

* Installs water heaters
•Offers instant rebates & financing

Rainier

Diedrich's*•
(503) 556-9439

Rainier True Value Hardware •
(503) 556-3171

* Installs water heaters
• Offers instant rebates & financing

For more information