How New Water Heater Regulations Will Affect You Residents of Southern Florida

February 13, 2015

If you’ve been thinking about replacing your water heater soon, you will want to read up on how the new water heater efficiency standards, effective April 16, 2015, will affect your options.

The U.S. Department of Energy recently mandated sweeping changes in the energy efficiency standards of this water heating appliance. The new standards call for much higher Energy Factor (EF) ratings on all water heaters manufactured with larger than 55 gallons in capacity.

New water heater regulations mean huge changes in how larger-capacity water heaters are manufactured, distributed, and installed.

While the new mandates will add up to long-term energy savings for all, the initial cost of replacing your old water heater may quickly become significantly more expensive.

For example, the average cost of conventional minimum-efficiency 60-gallon gas and electric water heaters is approximately $675 to $1,500 a unit. In comparison, the new units manufactured after April 16 will cost anywhere from $1,200 to $2,450 each.

That’s not all. Water heaters manufactured after the new energy efficiency standards go live will require a different heat pump design and will take up more space than your model now.

This means that if your current water heater is located in close quarters, like a 3-foot x 3-foot water closet or attic, you may be looking at a small home remodel to accommodate the larger units as well.

Joe Canosa, our General Manager and resident expert here at Lindstrom Air Conditioning & Plumbing, urges all home and especially business owners in Southern Florida to educate themselves quickly. “We encourage anyone who is considering replacing their water heater over the next year to contact a professional plumber soon. The cost of waiting to take action before the new water heater standards take effect could be high.”

Just how high is the cost of waiting until after April 15, 2015, to replace your water heater?

According to Canosa, “It is impossible to predict how the new regulations will affect you without a professional assessment from a qualified plumber. That is why we are urging residents of Southern Florida to reach out to us soon.”