Over the last couple of decades, water heaters have remained fairly the same with very minimal improvements in technology. However, things are about to change as the NAECA or the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act came into force in the USA, which laid down new rules & regulations in regards to energy consumption in water heaters. Such rules apply to all types of water heaters including tankless, electric, oil, and gas.
According to our professional home inspector in Raleigh NC, these new rules will not be applicable to the water heaters that are currently in use across households. But, in new houses, these high-efficiency water heaters must be installed. So, in this guide, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about the new water heater standards. So, stick around and continue reading.
The New Standards Are All About Saving Energy
It should be known that the new water heater standards are all about using less energy to create hot water for yourself & your family members. Using less energy means that you’ll also be saving money in the long term as the monthly energy bills will be less. However, one drawback is that – these new, efficient water heaters are more expensive than their former models.
Apart from saving on the overall energy usage, you can also expect your new water heater to generate less greenhouse gas emissions (especially if the water heater runs on gas). Less greenhouse gas emissions mean less global warming and you’ll be able to do your part for the environment.
The New Water Heaters Will Be Taller & Broader
Since the new water heaters are aimed to be very efficient machines, insulation will play a key role in ensuring their efficiency. These new water heaters will come with added insulation measures. More insulation means less heat loss and thereby better energy savings. And to do that, the size of these water heaters will get bigger. So, if you’re planning to get one of these new water heaters, make sure you have enough space to accommodate them.
Furthermore, it’s recommended to maintain at least three inches of additional space around the water heater inside the space where the heater is to be installed. In that way, you can be sure that your water heater has been installed correctly.
Gas & Electric Water Heaters Are Changing
Unless you’re unaware, the typical electric water heaters are very easy to install as well as to inspect by home inspectors. However, the new tank-style models tend to be a bit more complex than traditional ones. The good news is that – to meet the energy efficiency demands, these new water heaters will be using heat pump technology, similar to what is used inside refrigerators.
For the gas-powered water heaters, the newer efficient models will come with power vents, the procedure for disposing of the condensation along with its own power source & exhaust.
Therefore, it can be concluded from the above-mentioned information that change is always good and better changes helps in bringing in a better lifestyle for the masses.
