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What are the Three Main Water Heater Regulations? And Why are They Important?

Every water-heater producer needs to follow the guidelines put forth by the NAECA, and we think that Franklin consumers should be informed as well. This organization creates the standards and regulations for most household appliances. The US Department of Energy (DOE), which is a branch of the NAECA, hands out the mandates for every product sold in the US. No manufacturer can sell a water heater if it doesn't meet the energy and safety standards included in these mandates.

Before a contractor or homeowner can install a water heater, they need to make sure the unit complies with updated regulations. The DOE began forming these mandatory guidelines in 1990. As you can imagine, many updates and improvements have been put in place since this time, and new efficiency standards are on the way. At the very minimum, water-heater manufacturers must meet the terms of three main regulations before they can sell any unit.

Energy Conversion

Regulators are always trying to find ways to heat water with the least amount of energy. These improvements will help homeowners reduce their monthly bills while officials control the flow of natural resources. The Energy Factor gauge determines whether or not a unit converts energy in an efficient way. Gas tanks will usually require lower EF standards while electric tanks require a higher EF.

Energyguide Labels

Every water heater must have an Energyguide sticker in plain view. This label contains the approximate annual electrical use and the approximate annual maintenance for each model. Federal law requires the manufacturer to place a label on each water heater before it reaches a retail establishment.

Mandatory Testing

Each water heater needs to go through a set of mandatory test procedures before it receives a certification. This process measures the energy and water usage coming from factory-made units. Assessors will usually generate values by testing the energy consumption in usage cycles. To come up with electricity costs, they will normally use a monetary kilowatt-hour scale. The final value will vary with the type of heating unit under examination. This test is obligatory for every model, whether it is gas, oil, electric, or tankless.

Why Regulations are Important

According to energy.gov, the average household uses approximately 64 gallons of water per day. This means the unit is constantly working to heat up a substansial amount of liquid for consumption. If the system malfunctions, the household will be living without water for an indefinite time period. This could be a dire situation for a family that regularly uses 64 gallons per day.

Without strenuous tests and regulations, there is no way to know how each unit will function and prevail. It will also be difficult to update the product if it has no specifications to consider. By issuing mandates, officials can make sure that Franklin consumers are receiving a safe and reliable product.

Any hold ups regarding your Franklin, IN water heater? Call Kellie Plumbing at (317) 738-2707 today for any of your repair needs.