Thermal Performance of Residential Electric Water Heaters Using Alternative Blowing Agents

Published

June 1, 2000

Author(s)

Arthur H. Fanney, Robert R. Zarr, J D. Ketay-Paprocki

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a study aimed at quantifying the performance of water heaters insulated with polyurethane foams using three different blowing agents - HCFC-141b, H2O/CO2, and HFC-245fa. The thermal conductivity of the foam was measured, as a function of mean temperature, using a guarded hot plate apparatus. Electric residential water heaters, insulated with the three polyurethane foams, were tested to determine the influence of the blowing agent on the water heater's energy factor and overall heat-loss area coefficient. A relationship between the overall heat-loss-area coefficient and energy factor is developed and compared to experimental results. An infrared imaging system revealed that areas surrounding the heating element access covers, the lower circumference of the water heater, and piping penetrations were significantly higher in temperature than the exterior surface of the water heater.

Proceedings Title

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Annual Meeting | | | ASHRAE

Volume

Vo. 106

Issue

Pt. 2

Conference Dates

June 1, 2000

Conference Title

ASHRAE Transactions

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

efficiency, energy, heat loss, insulation, measurement, residential, testing, thermal conductivity, water heater

Citation

Fanney, A. , Zarr, R. and Ketay-Paprocki, J. (2000), Thermal Performance of Residential Electric Water Heaters Using Alternative Blowing Agents, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Annual Meeting | | | ASHRAE, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=860782 (Accessed May 13, 2026)

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