Bengaluru: The 35-100 litre (Model ELJV/H and CEWHR) vertical and horizontal water heaters offered by A. O. Smith India Water Heating Private Limited, a leading water heater manufacturer, has earned the prestigious 5-star energy rating from the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). This is the first horizontal range of water heaters which qualified for the 5-star under the BEE star rating program and also achieved it.

Star rating by BEE is a budding concept in India, which has found a good response from customers. In fact, energy efficiency has become one of the top factors in a consumer’s decision-making process after price, brand and colour. The star rating is a system initiated by BEE, India, to determine the energy efficiency of electronic products such as water heaters, refrigerators, window and split air conditioners. Products are rated on a scale of 1-5 ‘stars’ depending on their energy efficiency; the higher the efficiency, the more stars are awarded.

Commenting on the development, Mr. Tamal Chaudhuri, Managing Director, A. O. Smith India Water Heating Private Limited said, “In a normal Indian household, most individuals worry about energy consumption of electronic appliances. The inclusion of water heaters in the labeling programme is a good step towards helping households buying energy-efficient appliances.”

He further added, “Consumers today are increasingly becoming aware of the benefits of energy-efficient appliances. We at A. O. Smith have always tried to give our customers energy efficient products. Now, with 5-star rated water heaters, our customers will be able to save around (50 %) of electricity. Going forward, we aim to get most of our products 5-star rated.”

The ELJV/H range comes with the Blue Diamond™ glass lining in the inner container (7 years warranty), glass coated element (4 years warranty) and can withstand up to 8 bar pressure. In addition to these, the CEWHR range has a dual glass coated element, a wired remote and a timer to set the time and temperature.

Applications have already been made with BEE for 5-star rating on the 15 and 25 litre horizontal products and the same is expected in a week’s time.

A. O. Smith products are of superior quality and come with features like colourful bodies. The company’s Blue Diamond™ Glass Lining formula withstands corrosion and offers improved protection against premature tank failure caused by hard water commonly found in India. The glass-coated heating element increases life of the heating element.

A. O. Smith India is head quartered in Bengaluru. A. O. Smith manufactures both residential as well as commercial water heaters. It currently has sales offices and stocking warehouses strategically located throughout the country as well as a sales and customer service organization in place.