Looking for a new water heater?  Ours is getting old and with the Federal Tax Rebates for energy efficiency, it was time to look into the area.

AO Smith makes the Vertex 100 water heater that is very efficient at 96% thermal efficiency. The 50-gallon Vertex delivers hot water output that exceeds a 75-gallon atmospheric gas water heater. The Vertex can deliver continuous hot water flow of over 4 gallons per minute. It has a LCD display allowing precise temperature control. The Vertex 100 has a dedicated loop for radiant hot water heating systems. Dimensions are similar to a standard 50-gallon power-vent water heater. 100,000 BTU input per hour. Jay Leno and Ed Begly Jr have these units.

Vertex 100 does requires PVC, CPVC or ABS pipe venting not traditional metal venting. It also requires a separate intake PVC airline. The unit requires AC power to run its fan. This fan makes this unit’s operation a bit noisy.  It is probably best suited for a garage. Vertex 100 water heaters cost roughly $2000+ installed minus the Federal and any local utility rebate. Our local utility PG&E has a $50 rebate.

How does it compare to a ‘normal‘ energy saving water heater? AO Smith’s Conservationist series 50 Gallon model has an Energy Factor of 0.62. and 40,000 BTU input per hour. Approximately 80% efficient. It costs about $1300.

An entry level model, ProMax 50 Gallon Water Heater costs about $600 and has an Energy Factor of 0.58. Approximately <80% efficient.

It it worth spending $800 more for the Vertex 100? Will you recoup the price difference over the unit’s six year lifespan?

Clearly without the rebate, the price difference is a huge.  A rough estimate of saving $10 a month in gas x 6 year lifespan = $720.  If it lasts longer than six years, then you are in the right zone. If you need to install a new PVC exhaust an intake pipe, there goes the savings. Consumer Reports states “..high cost offsets much of the roughly $70 per year the Vertex will save you.”

We recently installed The Vertex 100 water heater and so far so good.

Alternatives to the Vertex

Phoenix Evolution is a 96% efficient, 135,000 BTU water heater that can provide hot water for the domestic system, radiant heating, hydro air and even solar assist all in one appliance that qualifies for the Federal rebate.  55-119 Gallons. It also needs PVC Venting. The catch, the Phoenix costs several thousand dollars.

Heat pump water heaters

Heat pump water heaters are another way of keeping your energy bill down. General Electric Co. and Rheem Manufacturing Co. make these heaters, which suck up heat from the air in a basement or garage to assist heating water for the home. It’s like a refrigerator working in reverse. According to Rheem officials, this machine has an operating cost of $225 and $280 per year or about half of a common electric water heater. These heaters are not cheap, costing nearly $1500 for a 50 gallon model, three times more than a normal electric water heater, and five times more than a natural gas powered one. Payback time could be three to four years.