Whether you choose an electric, gas, or tankless/on-demand model, a new hot water heater will make bath time less of a hassle for everyone in your household.
The most common unit has an insulated tank and can be powered by electricity, natural gas, propane, or fuel oil. Electric units are the best environmental choice if your area has access to clean, low-cost power from hydroelectric plants. Contact Hot Water Heaters Denver now!
Tank
When a hot water heater goes out, it creates a major problem. If you’re lucky, a repair service can come and fix it quickly. Otherwise, you’ll be left with cold showers and dishes and laundry that won’t clean. To help you avoid this, it’s important to understand how a hot water heater works before purchasing one. You’ll want to consider the size of the tank and the type of fuel it will use. It’s also important to estimate your peak hour usage, which is usually the time when most people in your household take showers and wash clothes.
The most common type of hot water heater is the traditional tank. These tanks have a large, insulated storage tank that holds up to 80 gallons of water. These can be powered by gas, electricity, or a combination of both. They typically feature an adjustable thermostat that regulates the temperature of the water in the tank, as well as a pressure-relief valve to prevent an excessive buildup of water pressure inside the tank.
The tank has a dip tube that draws cold water from the bottom of the tank. It then enters the heating elements or gas burner and is heated. Once it reaches the appropriate temperature, it rises to the top of the tank. The hot water is then pumped through the heat-out pipe to your hot water taps.
If you hear hissing sounds coming from your hot water tank, it’s a sign that the tank is leaking. This is due to rust that has eaten through the liner. If you notice water around your hot water heater, shut off the power and fuel source and contact a professional.
Tankless and hybrid models of hot water heaters have been growing in popularity recently. They work similarly to conventional tank heaters but without a storage tank. These models heat water on demand, which can be faster than a traditional tank. They are also more energy efficient than their traditional counterparts.
Thermostat
It’s easy to take hot water heaters for granted – they provide us with abundant and reliable supplies of water for showering, washing dishes and laundry that work perfectly every time. And they last for up to a decade for tank-style heaters and even two decades for tankless systems. That’s why it’s a good idea to stay on top of your maintenance routine. Fortunately, most problems you encounter with a hot water heater are relatively minor and can be resolved by following some simple troubleshooting steps.
The thermostats are a crucial part of any water heater, whether you have a traditional storage tank or an electric tankless system. These thermostats, also known as thermocouples, are constantly monitoring the internal water temperature. When the temperature readings drop, they send a signal to the heating mechanism to activate and start warming the water back up to the prescribed temperatures.
When the readings stabilize, the thermostats shut off the heating elements to prevent overheating. This reduces energy consumption and utility costs while protecting the cylinder from damage from excessive overheating. Some advanced models have programmable features that allow you to set the optimal water temperature and schedule heating cycles during off-peak times to further reduce energy costs.
Electric tank-style heaters use two thermostats – one for the upper heating element and one for the lower. Using the multimeter, you can check both of these thermostats to see if they are functioning correctly. First, disconnect the power wires from both of the thermostats by removing the screw or bolt that holds each one in place. Then, connect the lead from your multimeter to the common terminal on the lower thermostat and the other lead to the terminal that powers the upper heating element. Your multimeter should display a reading of zero if the thermostat is functioning correctly.
If your water heater is displaying any of the signs described above, you should consider replacing the thermostats to help prevent any further issues with your hot water heater. It’s important to remember that maintaining the right temperature in your storage tank is not only good for the lifespan of your unit but it’s also essential for ensuring that you have enough hot water on demand when you need it.
Shut-Off Valve
Typically, your water heater has two shut off valves. One is for cold water and the other is for hot. These are there to isolate the water heater from the piping it is connected to. This makes it easier when working on the water heater or if you need to replace it. It’s also a good idea to know where they are located in case you ever need them in the future.
There are two types of gas hot water heaters; tank and tankless. Both have a gas control valve. It is on or near the black iron pipe that delivers natural gas to your water heater. When you need to shut off the gas to your hot water heater, find and turn this valve clockwise.
If you are dealing with a leak on your water heater, this is the first thing you should do. This will prevent the water damage that may occur if you do not act immediately. It is important to note that if the leak is severe, you will need to call in a professional to assess and repair the problem.
Both gas and electric water heaters can be affected by corrosion. This is why it’s essential to use a powered anode for your hot water heater. This will prevent corrosion from occurring on your hot water heater and keep it running safely for years to come.
Another important thing to know about your water heater is that it has a pressure relief valve. This will open and release water from the tank if the temperature or pressure is too high. This is an important safety feature that you should check on regularly to ensure it’s working properly.
If you have a water leak on your gas or electric water heater, you will want to shut off the main water supply valve for your entire home. This is usually located on the front yard side of your home near the water meter. It’s a large valve that should be turned similarly to the water heater shut off valve.
Heat Exchanger
The heat exchanger is the heart of the tankless water heater. It allows you to tap into a hot water supply from an existing source while still keeping your potable water and heating fluid completely separate from each other. It is the part that gets a lot of the press when people compare tanksless and traditional systems, as it is the one thing that can break if not cared for properly.
A heat exchanger is any device that transfers thermal energy between two different fluids. In a hot water heater, that means your cold tap water passes through the heat exchanger, which then heats up and recirculates it to your hot water outlets. When you turn on a faucet, this thermal energy flows from your water heater into the pipes and into your shower or sinks, giving you the warm, comforting water you need.
There are a few different types of heat exchangers. The most common is a shell and tube heat exchanger. This is a pipe that has an inner lining that is made from a material that is impervious to the water inside of it, such as copper or stainless steel. The outside of the pipe is then surrounded by a shell of either copper or stainless steel. The hot water enters through the top of the pipe and the colder water enters through the bottom. The heat exchanger allows the two fluids to pass through each other without ever touching.
A newer type of heat exchanger is a plate and frame heat exchanger. This consists of an end plate and several other plates that are embossed with holes in them. These plates are then welded together with a gasket between them. The water to be heated passes over the alternating plates, warming them up. Then the warmed plates transfer their thermal energy to the water to be used.
There are also a few other types of heat exchangers that you might see in some tankless models. For instance, some models use a water-to-water plate heat exchanger that allows your domestic hot water to be heated by your boiler without mixing with the heating liquid in your water heater tank. These are popular with wood stove based boilers in colder Northern climates, as they let you utilize the power of your heating system to provide you with constant, reliable hot water.