Q5.Is it illegal to sell water heaters without an energy label?
No. The labeling scheme for water heaters is voluntary; selling water heaters without
an energy label is not illegal.
Q6. Do water heaters with an energy label reduce gas usage?
An energy label indicates that a particular model of water heater meets minimum
energy efficiency and performance requirements; whilst this will impact gas usage,
the amount of gas consumed when using a water heater depends more on the volume
of hot water supplied and the temperature of the cold water feed.
Q7.What impact does an energy label have on water heater gas usage?
This depends on the different energy efficiency of particular water heaters. For
example, a certified GU labelled water heater has a minimum energy efficiency requirement
of 70%, whilst that of an energy labeled water heater has a minimum requirement
of 75%. Assuming a constant volume of hot water supply, a water heater with an energy
label will therefore save up to 7% of gas compared to one without such a label.
Q8.If I purchased a water heater without an energy label at Towngas
not long ago and the model is now being sold with an energy label can I have it
replaced?
No, this is not necessary because the level of energy efficiency will be the same
whether the label is present or not as production and design of the water heater
will not have changed.
Q9.If all Towngas water heaters have an energy label, how will
I know which one is most efficient when it comes to gas consumption?
An energy level indicates a minimum efficiency requirement (‘recognition” not “grade”
type) common to all water heaters. Therefore, other factors may be considered when
choosing a water heater such as: price, functionality, appearance, volume of hot
water supplied and installation factors.
Q10. Why is there no reduction in my gas bill after replacing my
water heater with one that has an energy label?
It could be that the original water heater had already met the government’s required
energy efficiency level. This would be likely if the previous water heater had been
purchased from Towngas, because we actively promoted energy conservation even before
the introduction of the energy label scheme.
Gas bills are also affected by
other factors such as the volume of hot water supplied, the temperature of the cold
water feed and the fuel adjustment cost.
Q11. Why has my gas bill increased, rather than reduced, after
replacing my water heater with one that has an energy label?
An energy label indicates a water heater certified to meet minimum energy efficiency
and performance requirements. Gas consumption, as reflected in a gas bill, is also
affected by other factors such as the volume of hot water supplied, the temperature
of the cold water feed and the fuel adjustment cost.
Q12. Are gas cookers or dryers available with energy labels?
At the moment, there is no energy efficiency labeling scheme for gas cookers or
gas dryers.