Are you in the market for a new water heater? At Tucson Discount Plumbers, we help you sort through your choices. However, did you know that new rules by the U.S. Department of Energy could limit the choices you have? Although these rules are intended to conserve energy, your initial investment could be more than you anticipated.

Why the Change?

The change comes on the heels of the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act (NACEA) and effects water heater made after April 2015. The NAECA puts in place mandatory standards that manufacturers of gas, electric, oil, and propane water heaters must meet in order to sell to consumer in the United States. The goal of this act is to conserve energy and reduce emissions.

How the Change Affects Consumers

It’s no secret that energy conservation is great for the environment and has monetary benefits for homeowners. New manufacturing standards means that water heaters produced after April 2015 use energy conservatively, reducing the cost to operate the appliance.

Saving money is great, but the biggest savings will be residual. The upfront costs may be more than what the average consumer is ready to absorb. To comply with the new standards, manufacturers may begin to charge more for the average water heater. What the exact percentage of cost increase that could be is yet to be seen.

Another caveat that comes with the passing of the NAECA is that older models without the energy conservation benefits are still available for purchase. This is great for people who want to save money upfront, but for consumers looking to buy the newly manufactured product it could lead to some confusion. Old stock will be allowed to be sold and the consumer needs to make sure they’re getting the newer, energy-efficient model and not a heater that doesn’t meet the new standards.

Other unintended consequences of the change that consumers need to know include the following:

• Standard water heaters may increase in size up to 2 inches. Homeowners with plenty of space in their utility rooms or basements will not be affected by this change. However, homeowners that have very little clearance to begin with may run into problems with installation. The remedy: Consider a tankless water heater that requires less space.
• Manufacturers have added additional energy-saving technology to their models to meet the NAECA standards. For example, electric water heaters may need different heating pumps or gas models may require an electronic ignition system. The cost of adding the necessary technology to the heaters will be passed along to the consumer. The remedy: If possible, shop for a new water heater during sales promotions to save money.

Professional Installation

New water heater changes mean that you may need to hire a professional installer to help you put in the new heater. While you may have installed a water heater in the past, the new requirements may make it more challenging this time around. Professional installers will be up to date on the changes and can help you circumvent installation problems should they arise.

If you have a tight space as mentioned previously in the article, it may be necessary to relocate the new water heater or remove walls of your utility room to create more space. In a case like this, you may need to hire a contractor to help you with this construction project.
These changes to water heater manufacturing will not come without growing pains for manufacturers and homeowners.

At Tucson Discount Plumbers, we help you navigate frequent changes in the plumbing industry. Our professionals help you choose a heater and perform water heater installation in Tucson, AZ. Call us today to schedule your appointment.