“I’d like the silver one, please!”

Ah, if only it were that simple when purchasing a replacement water heater. It’s not, of course, and now it’s only gotten more complicated since the federal government implemented new and tougher energy conservation measures in April, 2015.

The program is called NAECA (National Appliance Energy Conservation Act), and it has forever changed the way Americans will purchase water heaters going forward. That’s because water heaters, as you once knew them, for the most part no longer exist.

Here are just a couple of the recent changes, and how they can impact your next purchasing decision:

• Let’s say you have a gas or electric water heater with less than 55 gallons of water storage capacity. If you were to purchase a replacement system today with the exact same storage capacity as your current unit, the new tank would be 2” taller and 2” wider. No big deal, right? Well, it’s only “no big deal” if you have enough space in your home or condo for the bigger storage tank. If not, then some creative thinking is going to be required to help you get the kind of hot water system you really need.

• Next, let’s say you’re looking to replace your 80 gallon electric storage tank water. Well, conventional models like the one you have now (hypothetically) are no longer being manufactured. So unless you can find one left over from the good old days, you’ll be replacing your current system with a hybrid electric heat pump water heater. And while you’ll definitely save money on your water heater operating costs, heat pump water heaters can only be installed in rooms or spaces at least 10’ by 10’ with sufficient ambient air for the heat pump function to work effectively.

While it’s always been a good idea to trust a professional plumber to recommend and install the right water heater, it’s even more important now in the wake of the NAECA regulations. Is it time to replace your water heater? Then contact Boden Plumbing today. We’ll explain all your options and help you choose what’s best for your home, family, and budget.