Understanding Water Heater Efficiency Ratings

Date: July 15, 2024

We explain what goes into the UEF rating.

Did you know that the average American family consumes roughly 65 gallons of hot water each day? The energy most homes use to heat water comprises almost one-fifth of their annual consumption. At Cubby Oil & Energy, we help countless homeowners in the greater Boston area to have robust, dependable hot water with equipment that runs efficiently.

But how can you tell how energy-efficient your water heater is? There is a relatively new metric called the UEF rating that helps.

What does UEF mean for water heaters?

UEF stands for Uniform Energy Factor. It’s the standard measurement the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) uses to determine how energy-efficient a water heater is. A UEF rating will tell you generally how much energy a product consumes to power itself and heat water. This metric has been in place since 2017 when it replaced another rating system.

What is a good UEF for a water heater?

As a general rule, the higher the UEF rating, the more efficient the water heater. Most traditional water heaters have a UEF of between 0.63 and 0.95. An on-demand or indirect-fired water heater will be considerably higher on the efficiency scale.

How is UEF determined?

In assigning a UEF rating to a water heating product, the DOE considers the equipment’s intended use. Within this category, the unit’s performance in generating hot water is evaluated. For water heaters manufactured before 2017 (when UEF was introduced), you should look for a yellow label containing pertinent efficiency info, including the following metrics:

• First Hour Rating (for storage tank water heaters) — How much hot water can your unit generate in its first hour of usage?
• Gallons Per Minute Rating (for tankless products) — How many gallons of hot water can an on-demand unit generate in a minute?
• Estimated Yearly Energy Cost — Approximately how much can you expect to spend annually to operate your water heater?

The label will also include your unit’s usage category, capacity and model number. All this data goes into determining the product’s overall UEF. You can look up the model number online to find its UEF rating.

Come to Cubby for a hot water upgrade!

If your current water heater is getting up in years, its overall energy efficiency has probably deteriorated, particularly if it hasn’t received regular maintenance (or hasn’t been flushed of sediment each year). You can reach out to Cubby Oil & Energy, and our experienced technicians will recommend a water heater upgrade. We carry a range of efficient products, including traditional storage tank units, tankless systems and indirect-fired water heaters. If you replace an old, struggling appliance with one of these products, you can experience immediate, significant and lasting energy savings — not to mention longer, hotter showers!

Our team can find the ideal product for your home, install it promptly and then provide ongoing upkeep services to keep it running efficiently.

Let’s maximize your home’s hot water capacity and reduce your energy spending in the process. Contact Cubby for a FREE estimate on a new water heater.