How Hot Water Heaters Work?

A Hot Water heater is essential part of your home as it is one of the main systems that provides comfortability. Imagine if the water you used only had a cold option, no hot showers, no hot water for clean dishes or laundry.

Most people only become dependent on its functionality when it fails, which is how big companies can scam homeowners by offering replacement right off that bat when sometimes only a repair is necessary. Which is why it’s important to know how they work, so you can make the best-informed decision.

Your most common Water Heaters are

• Gas options
• Electric options
• Tank-Type options
• Tankless options
• Hybrid Options

Gas-Powered
Natural gas, oil-fired, and propane tank water heaters use their fuel to run a burner which ignites when the heater’s tstat indicates that the water inside the tank has fallen below the set temperature normally, water heater temperature is set between 110°-140°F.

Electric-Powered

When it comes to electric water heaters, current runs through a 220-volt circuit and past two heating elements powered by a thermostat that senses when the water has fallen below the set temperature.

The principles behind an electric hot water heater are the same ones that operate an electric coffee maker. Electrical energy is converted into heat energy inside the heating elements and transfers, via conduction, into the stored water.

While both gas and electric storage tank water heaters must be excellent heat conductors internally, they must also prevent heat from quickly escaping outside. Otherwise, efficiency would plummet, and lukewarm water would become the norm. For this reason, the tanks are heavily insulated with resistive material, such as polyurethane foam, to retain the heat as long as possible.

Tankless Water Heaters

also known as “on-demand water heaters,” do not store hot water. Instead, they use a heat exchanger to heat the water.

As with storage tank units, tankless water heaters come in electric, natural gas, and propane models.

When a user opens a hot water tap, cold water enters the heater typically from the bottom, (although top-mount models are now available for easier replacement of tank units). At this point, the flow sensor detects the incoming water, and a circuit board activates a gas- or electric-powered heat exchanger, which heats the cold water passing through it.

A tankless unit will continue heating water as long as the tap is turned on. Once the flow sensor detects that the tap has closed, the unit will stop heating. In a gas-powered unit, a blower drives exhaust gases out the exhaust pipe.

To eliminate having to wait for hot water, some tankless water heaters come with an internal recirculation pump, which can work with a recirculation line to provide instant hot water to distant fixtures. Essentially, the pump pushes warm water through a building’s plumbing lines on a schedule or after a motion- or touch-activated sensor is triggered at the fixture.

If you ever feel like you are having issues with your water heater or your needing a flush you can always call Air & Plumbing Today at (210)519-5959 for San Antonio or (512)859-5959 for austin!