Rheem Debuts First-Of-Its-Kind Residential Tank Water Heater
Posted on:
Rheem recently unveiled the new High-Efficiency Condensing Power Direct Vent (PDV) Water Heater. This ENERGY STAR® qualified water heater is the first in the industry to employ high-efficiency condensing technology in a residential tank design.
The Rheem High-Efficiency Condensing PDV unit achieves a 0.80 Energy Factor (EF), which is the highest EF available today for residential tank-type water heaters. Most typical gas-fired storage water heaters have a 0.59 EF and even ones that are Residential ENERGY STAR (Version 2.0)-qualified are only required to have a 0.67 EF (source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency).
Rheem’s existing water heating platform leverages high-efficiency condensing technology in the company’s Prestige™ Series line of tankless gas water heaters, and in certain commercial products like he Rheem SPIDERfire ® line of commercial water heaters. In the High Efficiency Condensing PDV model, the main flue is capped at the top of the unit. It forces gases down through a proprietary five-coil submerged heat exchanger, which loops around the center flue. The process keeps flue gas in contact with water for a longer period of time, meaning that more heat is transferred to the water.
Because the High-Efficiency Condensing PDV Water Heater delivers more heat to the water and less heat exhausts from the vent. The cooler flue gases permit venting through low-cost 2- or 3-inch PVC piping. The use of PVC simplifies the installation process for the contractor and saves the homeowner costs in venting, components, and installation.
In addition, this unit comes with a factory-installed exhaust riser, which conveniently vents at the top of the unit, so contractors don’t have to spend time constructing a bulky side riser. Should a service issue arise, Rheem has included an integrated diagnostic system that helps contractors quickly assess any problems and facilitate faster service calls.
For more information on the new Rheem High-Efficiency Condensing PDV Water Heater, visit https://hvac-blog.acca.org/rheemwh.
Posted In: ACCA Now, Partner News
