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Press ReleaseEntire Rheem Tankless Water Heater Line Qualifies for $300 Federal Energy Tax Incentive December 23, 2005 | Montgomery, Alabama--The Water Heating Division of Rheem Manufacturing Company recently announced that its entire line of gas-fired tankless water heaters qualify for a federal income tax credit under the new Energy Tax Incentives Act of 2005. A provision of the bill, which goes into effect on January 1, 2006, provides a personal income tax credit of $300 to homeowners who install a gas, propane or oil-fired water heater with an energy factor (EF) of at least 0.80. All six models in the Rheem tankless water heater line meet this criteria by carrying energy factors of 0.81 or 0.82. The line includes models fueled by either natural gas or propane, while offering gas inputs of up to 199,000 BTU per hour and flow rates up to 7.4 gallons per minute at a 45°F rise in water temperature. (Rheem-Ruud and Ruud brand models of these same water heaters also meet the criteria. Not all tankless units qualify. The 0.80 EF threoshold effectively eliminates all conventional, tank-type water heaters, except for certain high-efficiency commercial models, from qualifying for the credit. But not all tankless water heaters will meet the minimum energy factor rating either. How then a consumer be certain that the tankless water heater he wishes to pruchase is eligible for the $300 credit - especially if the energy factor rating is not shown prominently on a water heater? "At this point, the IRS has not indicated how the consumer can determine which tankless water heaters qualify for this new tax incentive,’" comments David R. Martin, vice president of marketing for Rheem Water Heating. "To be certain which water heaters meet or exceed the .80 EF criteria, we recommend people check the website of the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association (GAMA), which functions as an impartial efficiency ‘watchdog’ for the entire gas appliance industry." Trades people and their customers can access the "Consumers’ Directory of Certified Efficiency Ratings" by logging onto www.gamanet.org, clicking on "Product Certification" and "Product Directories." Scroll down and click on "Gas Tankless Water Heaters (Wall Hung)" and the directory should appear. The listings, which can be found on page 15, show the maximum flow rate and maximum BTU/h input as well as the energy factor for each water heater. This third-party database is the most reliable guide to tankless water heater efficiency for both plumbers and their consumer customers. As to the question, "Which tankless model meets or exceeds the .80 EF criteria?" GAMA has the surest answer. Consumers with questions regarding the Federal Energy Tax Credit and its applicability to their situation are encouraged to consult with their tax advisors. NOTE:A publication-quality photograph of the Rheem line of tankless water heaters can be downloaded at the following location on the web: http://www.rheem.com/marcomm/3RheemTanklessWaterHeaters.jpg When the image appears, right-click on image to download. Then convert the saved image to the proper resolution for your publication. Contact:
John O'Reilly
Laura Butler |
