The world is changing. Gas has reached beyond $120 a barrel, and the demand for biofuel has caused food prices to skyrocket. As our everyday expenses surge, homeowners are looking for better ways to save money. For a growing number of people, this has led them down the path of “green” technology and products. While some of these environmentally friendly gizmos have been around for some time (solar panels, for example), most are still fresh on the market, especially when it comes to energy-efficient products.

Tankless water heater
I’m currently planning to install a tankless water heater in my own home this year, but unlike most water heater units I inspect on the job, I have never seen a tankless unit installed before. About a month ago, I met a plumber who has been installing these units in Houston. We had a lively conversation about the proper way to install these water heaters and the common mistakes people make when purchasing them. I contacted some home inspectors around the country to see if they knew of any other issues. It appears that the tankless units are popular in California, but it has not caught on in most other parts of our country.

Yesterday, I ran into an acquaintance who mentioned that she and her husband have been working on “greening” their home, but she was growing frustrated with the process. The plumber who installed her tankless water heater happened to be the same plumber that I had spoken with earlier in the month. I had checked out his facts in the building code, and found them to be accurate, so I was confident that he installed the unit properly. But her frustrations all began when the city’s building inspector paid a visit to her property.

Keeping up with the “Greens”
The inspector informed her that he had never seen such a unit. He asked for the installation manual, which he quickly glanced over, she said. He came to the conclusion that the unit was not installed to code, so he insisted that further modifications be made.

Unfortunately, he had the authority to enforce his request. Although most home inspectors that I know are trying to keep up with new developments and technological changes, city building inspectors do not always have that luxury. Having to go on daily site visits takes up most of their schedule and prevents them from having the time to study the latest information on new products.

If you are an early adapter, you may face a similar situation. My best advice is to have the expert installing the new unit at your home during the inspection. The installer may be able to show the inspector how the system works and meets the guidelines for the proper installation.

Frank Schulte-Ladbeck, Professional Real Estate Inspector