Water Heater Regulations in Orange County, NY

If you’re a homeowner looking to replace your old water heater in Orange County, then it’s important to be aware of the new federal guidelines governing the energy efficiency of water heaters. These regulations, which go into effect on April 16, 2015, basically require all water heaters to meet minimum energy efficiency standards. The U.S. Department of Energy hopes that this will help reduce the total energy consumption of American households, which is better for the environment. For the consumer, however, one of the most significant benefits will be lower energy bills.

New Regulations in Practice

So what do these regulations mean for you, the homeowner?

If you’re replacing a storage tank water heater with a capacity of over 55 gallons, your new model will be considerably larger due to more insulation and a larger heating element. It will also be significantly more energy efficient, so that’s good news for your budget. However, due to the larger dimensions, it might need more space than your old appliance, so you might have to find a new location in your home to install it.

If you’re looking at a model with a storage tank of 55 gallons or less, it will consume about four percent less energy than your old one. It will also be a little bit larger than the old model, but in most cases, the difference won’t be so great as to require a new location to install it.

If you’re looking for the most energy-efficient option, then a tankless water heater is the way to go. These appliances heat water on demand, which means they don’t expend any energy on keeping a tank full of water heated. They’re also much smaller than tank water heaters, so homeowners who don’t have much room can really benefit from them. And though they’re a bit more expensive than conventional models, they last approximately seven years longer, so the investment is well worth it.

Ask the Experts

To determine what type of water heater is best for your home, call the experts at T.Webber. We’re always happy to help you with everything from in-depth information to old appliance removal and new appliance installation!