James Lutz of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) has invented a gas water heater that is up to 30 percent more efficient than conventional gas water heaters.
The design replaces traditional central tube heating with a side-arm heat exchanger, thereby eliminating standby energy losses that occur when heat is transferred from the hot water to the cooler central dip tube when not actively being heated.
Integral to the side-arm component is a simple system for capturing steam heat from the combustion exhaust—a second source of energy inefficiency in conventional designs—and collecting the condensate so that it doesn't exit the venting system.
A basic electric water heating tank can be adapted to the LBNL design.
Applications
- Residential gas water heating
Advantages
- 90 percent efficient; 30 percent more efficient than conventional gas water heaters
- Can be manufactured by adapting a basic electric water heater tank
More info: 510-486-6467, TTD@lbl.gov
