The development of the modern water heater changed home living. No longer did you have to heat water all day on the stove or keep it in the hot water reservoir, then lug buckets of it to your tub to take a bath or do the laundry. Now, all you have to do is turn a tap. If you want to know how that happens, keep reading.
The Tank-Type Heater
Most water heaters are traditional, tanked models. They’re powered by gas or electricity, and the one problem with them is that they waste heat while they wait for you to use hot water. The electrically powered tanks are far more efficient than gas-powered ones, and heat pump tanks are more efficient still. Indeed, the efficiency of heat pump tanks can be as high as 400 percent, which is sort of preposterous.
Hot water tanks start to do their thing when fresh, cold water comes in through the bottom. It’s then heated, either by electrical elements inside the tank or a gas flame much like one on your gas stove that’s found beneath the tank. The thermostat makes sure that the water temperature doesn’t go above a certain point, and the pressure valve makes sure that the pressure inside the tank stays low enough and safe. When you or your washing machine or dishwasher need hot water, it comes out of the top of the tank and into your hot water pipes. The tank then pulls in some more cold water to heat and make up for the water it just lost.
Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters are becoming more and more popular, especially for folks who live in tiny spaces. They have an advantage over tank-type heaters in that they don’t waste heat that could be used to warm up the water. Instead, when you turn on the hot water tap, cold water is pulled into the heater. This causes a gas-powered or electrical element to come on and warm up a heat exchanger. The water gets hot when it passes over this exchanger, then continues to your fixture. When you turn off the hot water tap, the heater itself also turns off.
Heat Pump Water Heaters
These heaters use a heat pump, which is sort of a reverse air conditioner, to heat water. Though it also uses a tank, the hybrid water heater has an evaporator and a compressor that pulls in heat from the air and gives it to the incoming cold water. These heaters are expensive, but they pay for themselves after a few years. You also might be able to get an energy rebate if you buy one.
Your water heater is an essential part of your daily routine, and knowing how it works may help you determine when to schedule the service that you need. When you need water heater services in Hartford, CT, contact Tony Marzano Plumbing & Heating.
