Water heaters get hot new rule book

01/11/2026

KUWAIT CITY, Nov 1: Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy Dr. Sabih Al-Mukhizaim said the decree on the technical code for water heaters in buildings was published in the official gazette, ‘Kuwait Al-Youm’, on Sunday. Article One of the decree states that the technical code stipulates the adoption of the requirements for designing and installing water heating systems in buildings throughout the country. Article Two states that the technical code applies to all water heating systems in residential and non-residential buildings throughout the country.

Following are the major provisions of the code:

■ Define the technical specifications for optimal usage, including hot water consumption rates. This applies to newly constructed buildings and expansions of existing structures that require additional electrical capacity.

■ Non-residential buildings must comply with the minimum energy efficiency standards for designing and installing water-heating systems. They must implement a system that achieves at least 60 percent reduction in total water heating demand.

■ Residential buildings can select any water heating system. If they opt for high-efficiency systems like solar water heating or heat pump systems, they must adhere to the energy efficiency standards stipulated in the code. ■ All systems and equipment covered by the code must comply with Kuwait Standard 1903/2025 issued by the Public Authority for Industry (PAI) or its most recent amendment.

By Mohammad Ghanem Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff