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Learn About How the Water Heaters of Tomorrow are the Water Heater Upgrades of Today 

What will water heaters look like in 2030 and beyond?  Well, those water heaters are available today. Water heater manufacturers push their engineers to constantly develop and design more efficient and cost effective water heaters. This isn’t only for the sake of competition. This is because it’s also required by the EPA, (Environment Protection Agency). Over the last few years we’ve seen several standard water heaters be forced to discontinue and leave the market. That’s why we took the time to explain how the water heaters of tomorrow are the water heater upgrades of today.  

Water heaters no longer available in the last 5 years

You can no longer purchase a standard straight electric tank style water heater that is larger than 50 gallons. They simply are not allowed to be manufactured anymore. They are not energy efficient enough to meet the requirements set by the EPA. If you want 65 gallons or even 80 gallons for an electric tank style water heater your current options are limited. For a water heater larger than 10-gallons, your options are either a solar water heater or a hybrid water heater.  

Gas water heaters have also had huge changes in the last few years. These new changes limit the gallon capacity available for a standard tank. If you want a gas tank style water heater that is greater than 50 gallons expect to pay hefty upgrade fees. Plus, options for venting upgrades are limited to a direct vent or power vent. Unless you want to go with a tankless water heater. There is also a power direct vent option but that is considered a commercial water heater. 

 The future of water heaters will remain on a trajectory of becoming more and more efficient. Most water heater options today are projected not to be available in 2030-2032 as the EPA continues to push manufacturers to improve the energy efficiency of water heaters nationwide. That’s why we say the water heaters of tomorrow are the water heater upgrades of today. As technology advances and water heater’s become more efficient, older, less efficient models will outdated and discontinued. 

Electric Water Heaters Available for a Limited Time

 While a hybrid water heater may seem like an upgrade now, it is likely that in 2030-2032 these water heaters will be the standard for electric tank style water heating for any water heater that is over 30 gallons in capacity.  The majority of homes in the Phoenix area have a 50-gallon electric water heater. This means that a majority of homes in the Phoenix area that have electric as their water heater power source will find themselves purchasing a hybrid water heater past the year 2032 as the new standard water heater.   

Is the difference between a hybrid and a standard that big of a deal?

The answer is definitely yes.  The difference between the hybrid water heater and a standard water heater is drastic.  You may not realize, but heating the water for your home can be about 25% of your energy bill.  An electric water heater can use more electricity than your refrigerator, dishwasher, washing machine and dryer combined!  A standard electric water heater has a UEF (Uniform Energy Factor) on average of only .86.  What that means is that is for every dollar spent on energy to heat your water you only get about 86 cents of hot water based on it’s efficiency rating. This might not seem like a deal breaker. But for most of us who we consider the environmental impact of more than 300 million people in the United States using water heaters the evidence of needed change is obvious.  A hybrid water heater depending on the gallon capacity and the brand can be about 400% more efficient than a standard tank.   

Gas water heaters available for a short period of time.

Gas water heaters are even worse when it comes to energy efficiency.  It’s hard to have a tank style water heater that is energy efficient since the center of the water heater is hollow because it has a flew going up the center of the water heater.  There isn’t insulation in the center of the water heater. This is due to the flew so this is an area of weakness when it comes to efficiency.  Gas tank style water heaters on average have a UEF rating of about .63. This can also depend on the age and manufacturer making them the most costly water heater to run based on energy usage.  Most clients don’t realize this since natural gas is a more affordable energy source than electricity. But natural gas comes with its consequences to the environment.   

A premium line up on gas tank style water heaters is a direct vent or power vent. But even those are clocking in at only up to .88 on efficiency. There are even higher grade options available like super high efficiency water heaters that are condensing tank style water heaters that reach a high as .90 UEF. However these options more than often will cost more than going with a tankless option. If you live in colder climates where tankless water heaters struggle, this upgrade will soon be the only options.  If your home requires 75 gallons to adequately provide enough hot water for you, and tankless is not an option than you will have to get creative. 

Gas water heater option available as an upgrade today could be the new requirement. 

Many people currently consider a gas tankless water heater an upgrade rather than a requirement. While today that may be true, in a few years that won’t be the case any longer.  Gas tankless water heaters can vary on energy efficiency based on many factors. Things like brand, condensing, and non-condensing impact its’ efficiency. But they are still the most efficient model available on the market for heating water with natural gas or propane.  The UEF rating can be between .63 and .98. This may not seem remarkable but considering that they only use fuel when being used and not heating a tank of water all day while it cools is where the energy savings can become substantial.   It is currently on the docket that gas tankless water heaters by the year 2032 will become the norm and the requirement for those homes that are using natural gas to heat their water and that gas water heaters that are tank style won’t be available unless they are 40 gallons or less.

Services in Phoenix & Beyond

When you’ve found yourself in need of emergency plumbing services in the Phoenix, Glendale, Scottsdale, or Chandler area, you can trust Robins Plumbing. We will provide you with prompt and expert care!  Contact our team today! In addition to our slab leak repairs, we also offer a variety of residential and commercial plumbing services, including: drain cleaning, water heater repair and replacement, sewer camera inspection and locating, backflow prevention, commercial and residential jetting, water treatments, and more. Visit our reviews online to see what others have to say about our local plumbing company!