Are you renovating your home or planning to upgrade your water heater? The U.S. Department of Energy has enacted several changes in its water heater standards to help increase safety and energy efficiency and it will take effect for water heaters manufactured after April 15, 2015.
The recent changes in water heater standards mainly involve an increase in the energy factor (EF) rating. EF ratings are based on how much hot water a water heater produces per unit of fuel consumed throughout an average day. Efficient water heaters offer a higher EF than less-efficient models.
Many manufacturers raise their models’ EF ratings by adding insulation to a water heater’s piping and fittings. While this largely prevents heat from radiating out of the unit, it also makes it bigger and heavier. As an example, condensing gas-fired water heaters tend to be heavier than conventional models.
The water heater standards changes also involve new venting requirements for gas-fired and oil-fired water heaters. These changes will help enhance home safety by reducing the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning. Even short-term exposure to the odorless, colorless and tasteless gas could prove fatal to those most vulnerable, particularly children and the elderly.
The above standards will affect traditional and instantaneous oil-fired and gas-fired water heaters, as well as electric models. Tankless water heaters already meet these new standards, so you won’t have to worry if you’ve recently purchased one or plan to in the near future.
As expected, these new water heater standards will have a tremendous impact once they’re set into motion. Here’s what you can expect from the average water heater that’s made after early 2015:
Knowing what to do in this situation could prove a bit baffling, especially if you’re in the market for a new water heater. Fortunately, there’s plenty you can do to get yourself ready for the long road ahead.
For starters, one thing you could do is beat the scheduled water heater standards change by purchasing a new water heater made before April 15. It’s a good idea if your water heater is nearing the end of its service life, which ranges between 8 to 12 years with the proper care.
To compensate for any energy efficiency losses, you can change your other energy consumption habits to save money and lessen your own environmental footprint.
If your planned water heater purchase is a bit farther into the future, get ready for the changes at hand. That means prepping your home to accept the larger, vented water heaters and saving a little extra money to cover the price increase.
See what the experts at W.E. Brown, Inc. have to say about the latest water heater standards, or call us at (434) 295-1177 to find the best water heater for your Charlottesville home.