REGULATING & CONSERVING

What are the 3 Main Water Heater Regulations? And Why are They Important?

When the United States Department of Energy enacted conservation standards aimed at improving energy efficiency for appliances, water heaters were the appliances where improvement was most needed. Whether it’s a 20 gallon heater or one of 75 gallons, the energy expended by these appliances plays a big part in a Simi Valley consumer’s utility bills month to month.

On average, water heaters are responsible for more than 20 percent of monthly utility costs, which add up to several hundred dollars during a year. To increase energy efficiency in these appliances, the Energy Department issued new regulations regarding energy efficiency, many of which will play an important role in decreasing monthly utility bills of homeowners.

Gas Condensation Technology

One of the most important regulations involves gas condensation technology, which will be mandated for use on virtually all gas water heaters. Designed to allow the heaters to recapture escaping exhaust gases and cool them down to create water vapors, the technology will result in more condensation being created by the heaters.

In turn, this will lead to greater efficiency and less energy usage, helping Simi Valley consumers save money. Along with the added savings, water will be more easily conserved due to the heater being able to reuse the cooler exhaust gases.

Installation Regulations

Along with regulations on the energy efficiency of most water heaters, there will also be new installation guidelines enacted. These guidelines, which will be put in place to account for the larger models of water heaters being produced, will help both consumers and plumbers understand the safest ways to install the heaters.

For example, many older water heaters have been installed in small spaces within basements and storage rooms. However, that may no longer be possible due to the newer, larger heaters, so other arrangements may need to be made.

Water Heating Manufacturers

While consumers will feel the impact of new energy efficiency regulations, so will companies which manufacture water heaters. Due to the increased regulations and technology that will now be required for the heaters, it’s expected that the cost of water heaters may increase substantially.

In fact, some models are expected to be as much as 50 percent higher in price, which could make it difficult for some homeowners to purchase newer models when needed. However, the Energy Department believes that while initial costs may be steep, the overall savings on utility bills will negate the impact of price increases.

Any hold ups regarding your Simi Valley, CA water heater? Call Fix It Fast Plumbing at (805) 623-4417 today for any of your repair or maintenance requests.