Glossary of Terms

Limited Warranty – The manufacturer warrants their product against defects in materials or workmanship if installed within the United States and as described in each warranty document included with the product. Each warranty document may have different terms. The tank and parts limited warranty typically does not include labor costs after one year from date of installation. Labor costs may be included within one year of installation and comes with restrictions as described in each warranty document included with the product. Complete details on State water heater warranties are included with the water heater and may be available here on State's Media Library.

Rated Storage Volume – The measured storage volume defined by the Department of Energy. 

Input – The amount of gas or electricity used per hour to heat water in the tank. Higher input means the water heater can heat more water faster when needed. Natural or propane gas input is expressed in BTU’s (British Thermal Units) per hour, and State gas inputs range from 30,000 to 75,100 BTU’s. Electric input is expressed in Watts per hour, and State electric inputs range from 1440 watts to 5500 watts.

Recovery (at 90º Temperature Rise) – Converts BTU or Watt input into gallons heated per one hour (GPH). For example, a 40,000 BTU gas water heater may recover, or heats, 41 gallons in one hour. 90º Rise indicates that incoming cold water is increased in temperature by 90ºF. State Water Heater tank recoveries range from 31 to 81 GPH on gas models, and from 7.5 to 25 GPH on electric models.

First Hour Rating – This peak demand figure estimates how much hot water the water heater will deliver during the first hour after you start using hot water. First Hour Rating combines the heater’s Rated Storage Volume with its Recovery during one hour of operation.

Low NOx – Low NOx water heaters have burners that are designed to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxide vs. standard gas water heaters. 

Ultra-Low NOx – Ultra Low NOx water heaters have burners that further reduce nitrogen oxide emissions compared to a Low NOx water heater. These heaters produce 10 nanograms of NO2 per joule of heat.

Energy Star certified® – To earn the ENERGY STAR label for products, manufacturers are required to sign a formal agreement with EPA and products must be third-party certified against strict performance requirements. Third-party certification ensures products are properly tested and reviewed prior to being labeled. It also eliminates the competitive advantage associated with possible cheating and preserves the label’s value in the marketplace.

(source: https://www.energystar.gov/products/how-product-earns-energy-star-label)

Uniform Energy Factor – The Uniform Energy Factor (UEF) is the measurement of a water heater’s overall energy-efficiency. A higher Uniform Energy Factor means a more efficient water heater and energy cost savings for the homeowner.

Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) Tier 4 qualified – Tier 4 water heaters are the most efficient water heaters available. Teir 4 was adopted in 2020.  

AHRI Certified – HRI’s globally recognized and industry respected certification program helps equipment and component manufacturers sell more products, win bids, differentiate themselves from competitors, and comply with government requirements. Learn more by going to http://www.ahrinet.org/certification (offsite link on a new browser tab)

Insulation R Value – A measurement of how well a water heater’s insulation will help prevent radiant heat loss through the tank. The R Value of one inch (1”) of foam insulation is 8.33. A higher R Value will help increase the overall Uniform Energy Factor.

Heat Traps – Special fittings installed at the water heater’s cold water inlet and hot water outlet connections. Heat traps help prevent heat from escaping through these connections during standby periods and help increase the overall Uniform Energy Factor.

Self-Cleaning – A special feature on BETTER and BEST State water heaters, which introduces cold water into the tank in such a way that very small particles of lime and other sediment are kept in motion so they don’t accumulate on the bottom or the tank or on the electric heating elements. By reducing sediment accumulation, a Self-Cleaning water heater maintains its rated energy-efficiency longer resulting in consistently low operating costs. Self-Cleaning design also prolongs tank life by helping prevent metal fatigue caused by sediment accumulation at critical weld points.

X3® Scale Prevention Technology – Provides protection for the heat exchanger—making it last three times longer than a standard tankless water heater and maintaining like-new performance

Hot Water+ – Choose from three Hot Water+ levels for up to 40% more hot water than a standard heat pump

Smart Leak Protection Technology – Smart technology detects, alerts and notifies to help protect your water heater in the event of a leak. Also compatible with an optional automatic, cold water shut-off valve.

CoreGard™ anode rod – CoreGard anode rods feature a stainless steel center core that allows the anode to be secured in place, extending the life of the tank. 

Blue Diamond® glass lining – State Water Heaters’ Blue Diamond® glass coating is a patented commercial-grade formula that provides superior tank protection and corrosion resistance compared to the industry standard glass lining. 

DynaClean™ automatic sediment-cleaning – Automatic self-cleaning action greatly reduces sediment accumulation and maximizes hot water output. 

HUD Compliant / Mobile Home Water Heaters – Gas or electric water heaters designed specifically to meet HUD requirements for manufactured housing installation. A gas mobile home water heater features a gas control that is convertible for natural or propane gas operation. Only water heaters that meet HUD manufactured housing standards can be installed in mobile homes. A standard residential water heater should never be installed in a mobile home.

iCOMM™ Smart Connectivity – Stay connected to your water heater. iCOMM™ allows you to control & monitor your water heater remotely via the free State Water Heaters app, giving you peace of mind and total control. 

Dry-fire protection – Control system that checks to ensure the tank is full of water during initial startup preventing dryfiring of the heating elements. 

Flammable Vapor Ignition Resistant (FVIR) – FVIR designed water heaters are equipped with an advanced system designed to help prevent the accidental ignition of flammable vapors from gasoline and other sources outside the water heater. FVIR designed water heaters meet standards for “Flammable Vapor Ignition Resistance” established by ANSI, the American National Standards Institute.

DupontTM Zytel® – A thermoplastic polymer that is lighter and stronger than aluminum, magnesium, and other alloys that is resistant to sediment buildup.