Energy Star Rating: Gas Heaters, Wall Furnaces & Fireplaces
Gas heaters, gas wall furnaces and gas fireplaces in Australia are all tested and labelled for an gas heater energy efficiency Energy Star Rating.
Understanding a Star Rating means can save you lots of money!
What Does the Gas Heater Energy Star Rating Mean?
Energy Star Ratings were developed to provide consumers with an easy way of comparing the gas heater energy efficiency of different models.
Initially the energy labelling scheme for gas heaters, both flued and portable, was started as an industry program, run by the Australia Gas Association (AGA).
Energy Star Rating and Gas Heater Energy Efficiency
Please see How To Install a Gas Heater
Gas Heater Energy Star Rating and Thermal Efficiency Values |
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Star Rating
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1.0
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1.5
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2.0
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2.5
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3.0
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3.5
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4.0
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4.5
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5.0
|
5.5
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6.0
|
|
Thermal Efficiency
|
61%
|
64%
|
67%
|
70%
|
73%
|
76%
|
79%
|
82%
|
85%
|
88%
|
91%
|
How do you use Energy Star Rating information?
Gas Heater Energy Example 1
Say, for instance, you have an old gas heater that is only 1 Star Rating and you spend about $400 per year on gas to run it.
If, for example, you upgrade to a 5.9 Star Rating portable heater, you would save roughly 30% on your energy costs, or $120 per year.
As it is not unusual for a gas heater to last 20 years, this means you could save $2400 over the lifetime of the heater, less the initial cost of the new gas heater.
Gas Heater Energy Example 2
In a different gas heater energy example, using the same $400 hypothetical gas budget, if you had the choice between purchasing a 2.5 Star Rating model and a 3.5 Star Rating model, the gas heater energy savings would be 6% or $480 greater with the 3.5 Star model over 20 years.
However, if the 3.5 Star model were to cost you $600 more to buy, than the 2.5 Star model, the savings would never equal the added purchase cost.
Having this gas heater energy information could affect your choice of heaters.
Combination of Purchase Price & Gas Heater Energy Operating Cost
Remember that you need to consider both the purchase price and the gas heater energy cost of operation when making a decision.
Please also remember that the more efficient the heater, the smaller your carbon footprint.