The yellow Energy Guide label helps consumers compare the operating costs of competing models and aids them in identifying high-efficiency models that will reduce their energy use. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has decided to improve the design and content of the EnergyGuide label by providing updated Estimated Annual Operating Costs as well as new National Average Fuel Costs. These updated costs are published by the U.S. Department of Energy and adopted by the Federal Trade Commission.

In the past, the yellow Energy Guide label referenced Energy Use (Therms/year, kWh/year, Gallon/year) as the basis when comparing one water heater to another. The new Energy Guide label will now reference Estimated Yearly Operating Cost when comparing one water heater to another. This will provide consumers with a clear dollar figure to compare the energy efficiency of different models.

New cost figures to calculate Estimated Operating Cost

The Estimated Yearly Cost on models, with the updated Energy Guide label, has increased to reflect the increase in the National Average Fuel Cost. However, this increase in cost does not affect the efficiency of the water heater.

The new Energy Guide label (see illustration below) has a streamlined look and will prominently display the Estimated Yearly Operating Cost, whereas the older Energy Guide label prominently displayed the Energy Use.

Old yellow Energy Guide Label

New yellow Energy Guide Label

As always, if there are any questions, please contact the Product Management Department at 1-800-523-2931, or your Regional Sales Representative.