Water Heaters Reviews

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Water Heaters Reviews Reviewed
Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Water Heaters Ratings Comments on Reviews
1. Greenerbuilding.org	Tankless Water Heating Contributors to Greenerbuilding.org As of Mar. 2007		Greenerbuilding.org is a service of the nonprofit Center for Resource Conservation in Boulder, Colorado. Greenerbuilding.org provides a forum and community meeting place to bring information to the building community, be they professional builders and architects or a homeowner doing a small remodel. A couple of tankless water heaters receive some owner ratings here, including the Niagara Titan SCR-2 and the Rinnai tankless water heater. Reviews are very mixed for both units.
2. Berkeley Parents Network	On-demand or tankless water heater Contributors to Berkeley Parents Network May 2006		Berkeley Parents Network is a parent-to-parent network containing reviews, recommendations and advice on a variety of topics. On this page, there are a lot of comments about tankless water heaters. Even people who are happy with their units say they take some getting used to, since there is often a delay in hot water delivery. Owners relate strategies for using tankless heaters. Most own units from Takagi (specifically the T-K2) or Noritz. Reviews are very mixed.
3. J.D. Power & Associates	HVAC and Water Heater/Boiler Subcontractor Satisfaction Study Editors Sept. 2006		This study surveyed almost 900 contractors and subcontractors' satisfaction levels with water heater/boiler manufacturers. Seven factors were measured: warranty and repair service, ordering process, credit/billing, delivery, price, sales and marketing support, and product, based on a 1,000-point scale. Three companies aren't separated by many points: Bradford White rates highest (812), followed by Rheem/Ruud (804) and A.O. Smith (788). Unfortunately, the "product" score only counts for 10 percent of the total.

Water Heaters Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Water Heaters Ratings Comments on Reviews

4. American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy	Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings, Eighth Edition Editors of ACEEE Updated Dec. 2006		There's some clear, understandable information here about water-heater selection, along with tables that summarize the most efficient available products. Among water heaters, several brands are tied as most efficient, but specific models aren't noted.
5. Sensible Home >> Details/Subscribe	James Dulley Update Bulletins James Dulley Not Dated		Jim Dulley is a mechanical engineer/home improvement specialist who writes a nationally syndicated column about energy use. His Update Bulletins include specification details on individual products as well as excellent background and installation information on home water heaters. While products are not specifically rated, Dulley sometimes cites preferences. The most useful articles are Bulletin #443 (Solar Water Heater Kits), Bulletin #647 (Electric Water Heaters), Bulletin #678 (Tankless Water Heaters) and Bulletin #811 (Gas Water Heaters).
6. Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC)	Summary of SRCC Certified Solar Collector and Water Heating System Ratings Editors of SRCC Feb. 2007		The Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC) is a nonprofit independent third-party organization whose primary purpose is the development and implementation of certification programs and national ratings standards for solar energy equipment. It is the only national certification program established solely for solar energy products. SRCC selects a solar collector at random from the manufacturer's facility; it is subjected to a variety of durability tests to reveal any leaks, to check the construction integrity, and to assess the collector's resistance to water temperature changes. The energy output of the collector is then measured to determine the performance of the collector under a specified set of conditions. The information here is highly technical and not easily understood.
7. Consumer Reports >> Details/Subscribe	Water Heaters: Hot tips for a better buy Editors of Consumer Reports Feb. 2005		CR does not rate individual water heaters, although editors do say they cracked open 18 regular tank-style water heaters to check for insulation and capacity. Editors do offer shopping advice. Editors say the first-hour rating (FHR) is more important than capacity. Also, water heaters with longer warranties generally have better insulation. Editors say a tankless water heater can save you about $50 per year in energy costs, but that the savings isn't enough to recoup the higher initial cost and the cost of installation. Consumer Reports hasn't actually published any water-heater ratings since 1998, and that outdated report isn't available online.
8. Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association (GAMA)	Consumers' Directory of Certified Efficiency Ratings Editors of GAMA As of Mar. 2007		The GAMA Water Heater Division sponsors an efficiency certification program for residential and commercial water heaters, but no product endorsements are made. With this online form, you can plug in your criteria: manufacturer name, type of system, etc., to get a listing of certified water heaters and their ratings. Results include FHR, Energy Factor, Input and Recovery efficiency (percent). You can then print out the Rating Certificate for each unit selected, and the database is kept up to date. This site is helpful for narrowing down your choices, but you will have to already know some of the specifications you need.
9. U.S. Department of Energy	Selecting a new water heater Editors of A Consumer's Guide to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Sept. 2005		This government site provides an excellent overview of home water heating information, including a buyer's guide, preventive maintenance and water usage information. Individual products are not rated, but the general information is a good place to start your research.
10. About.com	Tankless Water Heater: What You Need to Know Bob Formisano Not Dated		This multi-page article is full of good information and troubleshooting advice on tankless water heaters. Bob Formisano covers issues such as how groundwater temperature can greatly affect how happy you are with a tankless water heater. No products are recommended or rated, but a list of manufacturers is provided.
11. Journal of Light Construction >> Details/Subscribe	Solar hot water 101 Gary Gerber Oct. 2005		Although no individual products are rated or recommended, there's good background information here on all aspects of solar water heating from a contractor's perspective.