Recently I received a phone call from a contractor in Florida about water heaters. Specifically, a letter he received from a water heater manufacturer telling him certain models would be discontinued next year. He was upset because he tried to call this manufacturer to get more information but no one would talk to him.
The discontinued models are the result of the new water heater regulations that take effect next April 16. Changes to the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act will require higher Energy Factor ratings — the ratio of useful energy output from the water heater to the total amount of energy delivered to the water heater — on many residential gas, electric, oil and tankless gas water heaters.