Most efficient · Water Heaters
Most Energy-Efficient Water Heaters in 2026
We ranked 200 ENERGY STAR certified water heaters by uniform energy factor. The Richmond 10CE80-HP5S30 comes first: it is listed at 1213 kWh a year, about $195.17 to run at the median U.S. state price, EIA July 2026.
Quick answer: the top 3
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Most efficient
Richmond 10CE80-HP5S30
1213 kWh/yr · UEF 4.07 · 72 gal
$195.17 per year
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Rank 2
Ruud CPROPH80 T2 CD375-30
1213 kWh/yr · UEF 4.07 · 72 gal
$195.17 per year
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Rank 3
Ruud CPROPH80 T2 CD375-SO
1213 kWh/yr · UEF 4.07 · 72 gal
$195.17 per year
The most energy-efficient electric water heaters are heat pump models, and they are the ones ENERGY STAR certifies in this dataset. A conventional electric tank turns electricity directly into heat. A heat pump water heater instead moves heat from the surrounding air into the tank, so it can deliver the same hot water for a fraction of the electricity. Gas and solar water heaters are outside this list because their energy is not electricity.
The ranking uses the uniform energy factor, or UEF: the hot water delivered for each unit of energy used, where a higher number means a lower running cost. Annual kWh and the yearly cost at your electricity rate are shown beside it, and the tank size is in the table because a heater should be matched to the size of your household.
Choose your state or enter your rate in the calculator to see the cost of each model, and add your current heater's yearly kWh to see the saving.
Running cost calculator
Prices in the table use the median U.S. state price, EIA July 2026: 16.09 ¢/kWh.
Full replacement calculator with payback time · Cost to run a water heater in every state
How this is calculated
- Yearly cost = the model’s ENERGY STAR annual kWh × your rate. Ten-year cost keeps today’s rate; prices will change.
- Savings = (your current water heater’s yearly kWh − the new one’s) × your rate. Find yours on the yellow EnergyGuide label or measure it with a plug-in meter.
- Statewide averages are not your utility’s tariff. Use the rate on your bill for a closer number.
The 10 most efficient water heaters
Showing 10 of 200 ranked models. See all water heaters with these filters →
Best in each type
| Type | Top model | kWh/yr | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 240 Volt Integrated HPWH | Richmond 10CE80-HP5S30 | 1213 | $195.17 |
| Split System HPWH | VAUGHN THERMAL MP80F-RC | 1273 | $204.83 |
| 120 Volt Integrated HPWH | GE Profile PJ80S10FPY01 | 1417 | $228.00 |
Models of different types and sizes are not like for like, so each type has its own leader.
Cost of the top 10 per year
All 200 ranked models by annual energy use; the top 10 are highlighted
How we ranked them
Models come from the ENERGY STAR certified water heaters list published by the U.S. EPA. We keep only the current listing for each model, and only models that state an annual energy figure. They are ordered by uniform energy factor (higher is better), a figure ENERGY STAR already adjusts for size, with annual kWh as the tie-break.
As ENERGY STAR publishes it for the usage pattern of the rating. Your use will differ with household size, how much hot water you draw and the temperature of the room the heater sits in. Prices are U.S. EIA statewide residential averages. We do not test products and we do not show retailer prices. See the methodology and data sources.
What to look for in water heaters
Check the room, not only the heater
A heat pump water heater takes heat from the air around it, so it needs space and some air volume, and it cools and dries the room a little as it works. A basement or garage often suits it; a small closet may not. It also makes a fan-and-compressor sound, similar to a dehumidifier, so think about where it will sit.
240 volt or 120 volt
Many models need a 240 volt circuit like a conventional electric tank. Some 120 volt integrated models plug into an ordinary outlet, which can avoid new wiring. The type column shows which each model is.
Size for your household
Tank size and the first-hour rating decide whether you run out of hot water. Choose the size for your household first, then the best UEF at that size. Incentives for heat pump water heaters change from year to year, so check the current federal and utility programs before you buy.
What the Richmond 10CE80-HP5S30 costs by state
1213 kWh a year at each state’s average residential price.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most energy-efficient water heater?
Of the 200 ENERGY STAR certified water heaters in our data, the Richmond 10CE80-HP5S30 ranks first by uniform energy factor, with uniform energy factor of 4.07. It is listed at 1213 kWh a year.
How much does the most efficient water heater cost to run?
At the median U.S. state price, EIA July 2026 (16.09 cents per kWh), the Richmond 10CE80-HP5S30 costs about $195.17 a year, or $16.26 a month. It runs from about $154.29 a year in Louisiana to $582.24 in Hawaii. Enter your own state or rate in the calculator for a closer figure.
How are these water heaters ranked?
Models are ordered by uniform energy factor from the ENERGY STAR certified product list, using only models that list an annual energy figure. As energy star publishes it for the usage pattern of the rating. your use will differ with household size, how much hot water you draw and the temperature of the room the heater sits in. We do not test products and we do not show retail prices.
What does the uniform energy factor mean?
It is the hot water delivered for each unit of energy the water heater uses, so a higher number means lower running cost. This model is listed at 4.07. A heat pump water heater scores far above a conventional electric one because it moves heat instead of making it.
Is it worth replacing an old water heater?
It can be, if the old one uses a lot more electricity. Enter its yearly kWh in the calculator above to see the saving per year and over ten years, or use the water heater replacement calculator for the full comparison.
Why are there no gas or tankless water heaters on this list?
The ENERGY STAR electric data used here covers heat pump water heaters, which are the electric models with a published annual electricity figure. Gas and solar units run on other energy, so their cost cannot be calculated from kWh and an electricity price.