New Water Heater Guidelines In Effect April 2015
Water heater rules increasing standards for energy efficiency will become effective April 16, 2015. These changes will increase the diameter and height of water heaters.
How New Hot Water Heater Rules Affect You
Manufacturers of water heaters are making necessary changes to the electric and gas water heaters in their product lines. All of the changes are focused on meeting new NAECA (National Appliance Energy Conservation Act) standards.
There are no worries about the technology changes involved for consumers. But, the improvements will affect the dimensions of the “like-capacity” units. These size changes can impact consumers in multiple ways when replacement units are needed.
Updated models will be more efficient than ever, but the cost for increased efficiency translates into expanded physical size. In general, like-capacity hot water heater will be two inches taller than previous models and have a diameter two inches wider. These design changes were required to incorporate technology needed to achieve the US Department of Energy (DOE) minimum energy efficiency requirements.
Hot Water Heater Reality In Middleton WI
To achieve new efficiency standards, some existing water heaters will be taken out of production. With this in mind, consumers may want to take advantage of the trimmer design dimensions that will be taken off the market. Consider the following –
- When space is a concern, you may be forced to install a smaller capacity hot water heater. A new unit with a similar storage capacity will likely be larger in physical size. Installations in closets or alcoves could require a smaller capacity water heater because of dimension issues.
- In multifamily housing locations such as apartments and condos, space is often limited. Size issues may arise where installations are in places where access is gained by using a doorway.
- A couple of areas where the increase in unit size will not have a huge impact is in a garage or a full basement.
Existing Hot Water Heater Designs Are Still Good
The NAECA regulations effective date of April 16 2015, applies to the manufacture of water heaters. This means existing products manufactured prior to this date can be sold for an indefinite period of time. Manufacturers, distributors and contractors may continue to sell existing products.
So if the size of your water heater is critical, you may want to consider a replacement unit before the trimmer size you may need is no longer available. Many of the hot water heaters on the market now meet or exceed the new NAECA standards, but after April 2015 the smaller dimension products will no longer be produced and their availability will diminish in time.
To learn more about the 2015 NAECA water heater standards, contact the experts at Sauk Plains Plumbing & Pump. We serve Dane County including Cross Plains WI, Middleton, Waunakee, Black Earth, Verona and Fitchburg, and can help you get the details you need to make the best water heater decision for your home.
Give our expert plumbers a call at 608-798-2121 or email to get the details on traditional hot water heaters and tankless water heaters in Cross Plains or Middleton WI.