If you plan to buy and install a new water heater in your home, it’s important to understand and comply with local, state, and federal regulations. You can’t just go out and buy a new water heater and put it in any location you choose inside your residence. If you do, you’ll violate the law. If you fail to comply with all legal requirements, you could be forced to pay fines and face other potential penalties. Our professional plumbers at Bumble Breeze in Las Vegas, NV have written this guide to the applicable municipal, state, and federal regulations for water heaters that you should know when you’re in the market for a new one.
Permitting Requirement
Before replacing, removing, moving, or installing a water heater, you must obtain a permit from the City of Las Vegas Building Department. A professional plumber can pull a permit from the city on the homeowner’s behalf before installing, replacing, and removing a water heater. Homeowners must have professionals pull permits for water heaters in rental homes and vacation homes, but they can apply to pull a permit for their primary residence. However, it’s best to have our professional plumbers handle the permit process for you as a part of the overall replacement and installation job. Learn more about when to replace your water heater in this blog!
Placement and Location Requirements
Water heaters can’t just be placed anywhere in your home you choose. Instead, the location must be approved by the city and meet specific requirements, including the following:
- Garage installations elevated 18 inches above the floor
- Accessibility for maintenance and service
- At least 30 inches clearance for service
- Continuous, solid flooring for attic installations
Our professionals can help you determine the best placement for your water heater to ensure compliance.
Drain, Valve, and Piping Requirements
Water heaters must meet certain drain and valve requirements when they are installed in homes. Tank water heaters must have drain valves on the bottom that meet certain size specifications. Those installed in areas that would be damaged by leaks must have drain pans installed beneath them, and those pans must be constructed from galvanized steel, aluminum, or other approved materials. For water heaters installed on the second level or above in a home, the drainage pan must be attached to a pipe that drains to the exterior of the home.
Shutoff valves must be installed and accessible. For gas water heaters, gas shutoff valves must be installed within six feet of the water heater and ahead of the gas connector. For water heaters that don’t have sediment traps already installed, you must install a sediment trap as close as possible to the inlet and downstream from the shutoff valve.
Pipes for water heaters installed in unconditioned spaces under floors must be properly insulated with insulation that meets a minimum requirement of R-3. Water pipes installed inside the home or attached to it must be electrically tied in a manner that meets electrical code requirements.
Discharge pipes attached to pressure relief valves should not be installed into the water heater’s drainage system. Instead, they should release water into the pan on the floor, a waste receptacle, outdoors, or a storage tank. If the water discharges outside, it should be to an end point you can observe.
Venting Requirements
If you purchase a gas water heater, it will need to be properly vented. Gas heaters emit carbon monoxide, a gas that can be deadly when inhaled. Because of this, you need proper ventilation. Gas water heaters must be installed in specific locations and must have vents installed made from approved materials. To prevent fires, they must also be installed away from any combustible materials. These regulations are designed to keep you and your family safe.
You should also install carbon monoxide detectors when you have a gas water heater. While this is not a legal requirement for you in your own home, it’s a safety measure that all people should take to protect their families from potential carbon monoxide poisoning in case of a leak. If you’re installing a gas water heater in a rental home, install carbon monoxide detectors to protect your tenants.
Seismic Requirements
Water heaters with tanks must have seismic straps designed to prevent significant movement during an earthquake. These straps must be installed around the tank and attached to your home’s framing. You must install two seismic straps. One must be placed around the water heater’s upper one-third of vertical height, and the second must be placed around the water heater’s lower one-third. The lower strap’s placement must provide at least four inches of clearance for the water heater’s controls.
Energy Efficiency Requirements
Water heaters must meet the federal energy efficiency standards issued by the U.S. Department of Energy. While the current standards were issued in 2015, the Department issued a final rule updating them in 2024 that will be effective in 2029.
Because of this, it might make sense to choose a water heater that meets the updated standards to reduce your carbon footprint and lower your energy bills. The updated energy efficiency standards will result in your family paying less for your energy use to heat water for your home.
Purpose of Regulations
Water heater regulations are meant to keep homeowners safe, protect property, and conserve both energy and water. To protect your family and avoid potential fines and other penalties, you must follow all regulations and laws when replacing and installing a water heater.
The regulations discussed above are only some of the numerous rules for water heaters. Because of the complexity of water heater regulations and the fact that they exist at the local, state, and federal levels, it can be difficult for most homeowners to comprehend all of the requirements. To help you remain legally compliant while enjoying hot water in your home safely, our plumbers at Bumble Breeze keep current with all regulatory standards for water heaters.
Why It’s Important to Hire Professionals
Water heater regulations are strict and difficult to understand. Professional plumbers receive training in the laws and rules that apply and know how to comply with all relevant requirements. Our plumbers also have the advanced equipment and tools necessary to properly install water heaters, and they can help you choose a new heater that is properly sized for your home and your family’s water usage patterns.
Talk to Our Professional Team Today
If you think it’s time to replace your water heater or you’re planning to install one in a new home, speak with our professional plumbers at Bumble Breeze. Our family-owned and -operated business has proudly served area residents for years.
In addition to providing an extensive array of plumbing services besides water heater installation, maintenance, and repair to both businesses and homeowners, we also furnish a complete line of residential and commercial HVAC services. We have accreditation from the BBB and can assist you with all of your HVAC and plumbing needs.
To learn more about our services in Las Vegas and how we can help, contact our professionals at Bumble Breeze today!
