Is My Electric Water Heater Talking to My Electric Company?
We all want cleaner and more reliable energy sources. Washington State is spearheading the charge to net zero carbon emissions in the upcoming decades. Part of the State’s plan involves new laws and building codes — including specific standards for replacement fixtures in existing buildings, to bring older homes closer to current building-code expectations.
Washington State Law (RCW 19.260.080), originally effective January 1, 2021 and delayed until January 1, 2023 due to supply-chain issues, requires that all new electric storage tank water heaters between 40–120 gallons sold and installed in our state include a communications device that lets the utility company receive and transmit information from your electric water heater or heat pump.
What does that mean for you? Your new electric water heater or heat pump comes with a CTA 2045-A Port Adapter pre-installed. If you choose to enable it, the port allows your utility to "listen and talk" to your water heater via an active Wi-Fi connection.
What Is a CTA 2045-A Port Adapter?
CTA stands for Consumer Technology Association — a 1924-era trade association (originally the Radio Manufacturers Association) that today represents about 1,400 consumer technology companies. They set technical standards for connected devices.
CTA 2045-A Port Adapter is a modular communications interface (MCI) that handles communication between devices for purposes like energy management. Think of it as a universal socket on your water heater. The port itself doesn’t do anything until a connection module is installed in it.
What is a UCM? The acronym is used a few different ways — Universal Control Module or USB Connector Manager. Either way, it’s the piece of equipment that plugs into the CTA 2045-A port and translates data between your water heater and the utility. Your utility company would provide a UCM if you opt into their grid demand program.
To sum up: the CTA 2045-A Adapter with UCM is the communications system that lets your electric water heater participate in the utility’s broader energy grid — but only if you connect it. Your water heater becomes a "grid enabled device." During peak demand, the utility could send a signal asking your water heater to slow down or run only during non-peak hours.
Do I Have to Connect to the Utility Company?
As of this writing — no. The Snohomish County PUD doesn’t even have a grid-enabled program in place yet for water heaters or heat pumps. There’s no state law requiring you to connect a "grid enabled" device to any utility.
In fact, the new law specifically requires written consent from the consumer before a utility can receive data from or regulate your electric water heater. Other localities are piloting Demand Response programs, but participation is opt-in. You can also manually opt out of an individual event if the utility tries to reduce load.
Will It Become an Option in the Future?
Yes. PUD has been actively testing how to implement a Grid Demand Program. Based on regional data, they’ll offer programs in the future. Other utilities are already piloting incentive programs that provide discounts to customers who join their enabled-grid programs.
The Bottom Line
If you’re replacing an electric water heater after January 2023, your new unit will arrive with a communications port built in. You don’t have to use it. If you choose to in the future, you might earn rebates or discounts; if you don’t, your water heater works exactly the way you expect.
Questions about water heater replacement, repair, or installation? Stollwerck Plumbing & Sewer handles every type — gas, electric, and tankless. Call us at 425-374-3909.
Source: Washington State Department of Commerce — commerce.wa.gov/growing-the-economy/energy/appliances