Grid-enabled water heaters

What is a grid-enabled water heater (GEWH)?

To promote the health of the electrical system and energy savings, the Department of Energy requires large tank water heaters to meet a new design.

The design must include additional control equipment on units that are larger than 75 gallons. These have built-in software or hardware to limit performance unless the water heater is enrolled in an off-peak or energy management program. This type of water heater is considered “grid-enabled.”

Benefits of a GEWH water heater

Customers can benefit from a GEWH in a few ways, including:

• A water heater that's more than 90% energy efficient.
• Discounted rates or a monthly bill credit through an off-peak program.
• Electricity costs kept low due to better energy management.
• Rebates.

How do they work?

A qualified contractor must install this type of water heater. The full capacity is activated once the water heater is connected to an energy control program. 

Without activation, grid-enabled water heaters will only run at 50% of its heating capacity.

Please note: Our company representatives cannot unlock water heaters. Your installer will need to unlock your unit.