Get The Inside Facts About Hot Water Heaters

Hot water plays an important role in our lives and hot water heaters are a key component in our homes. The most common type of water heater involves a tank which is typically heated by gas or electricity.

Whether the water is heated by gas or electricity, the tank is basically the same. They are drum shaped and stand on end. For reasons of space, the tank is kept out of sight and is usually located in the basement, laundry room, or a special cupboard.

Types Of Hot Water Heaters

Electric Water Heaters

With the electric water heater the heat is provided via a 220-volt circuit. Attached to the tank are two electrical resistance heating elements. Usually one is fitted at the bottom of the water tank and the other in the middle.

The thermostat plays a key role in this type of tank. It is preset to the desired temperature. If the water temperature drops below that level, the electric current raises it to the desired level and then cuts off.

Open a hot water faucet and cold water enters the tank causing the temperature to fall. This in turn starts up the thermostat and the element to raise the temperature of the water back to the pre-set level. Even when the hot water faucet is closed, the water in the tank will continue to heat until the desired temperature is reached.

Gas Water Heaters

Gas water heaters operate under the same principles as the electric version. The main difference is that the water in gas water heaters is heated by gas, which flows to the burner through a control valve. The thermostat in this type of water heating works in a similar way, with a pre-set temperature maintained by the gas burner.

Proper Hot Water Preventative Maintenance

There is nothing worse than your hot water suddenly turning cold, such as when having a shower, so to ensure that your hot water heater continually provides hot water you should make sure that it has regular preventative maintenance.

People who are able to do their own water heater maintenance often drain it of water. This is usually performed at three month intervals. It is done to improve the overall performance of the unit, improve its energy efficiency, and to prevent sediment settling in the tank.

If you do not feel able to perform your own maintenance then call your local plumbing service.

Signs You'll Need To Replace A Hot Water Heater

All things wear out over time and have to be replaced. Signs that your hot water heater may need replacing include; the heater not being able to heat water on a regular basis, regular overheating, or strange sounds emanating from the system.

A decision that the heater may be past its best could be made following an emergency call to a plumber, or during the annual service.

If you have an emergency, or the water heater is malfunctioning, it is very important that you switch it off. With gas heaters, the thermostat should be switched from on to off, and with electric heaters the circuit breaker should be turned to off.

Contact Horizon Services

With over 20 years of service experience, we have helped thousands of homeowners in the Delaware, Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and Northeastern Maryland with their plumbing needs. Our team of plumbing professionals consists of some of the most experienced and most qualified plumbers working in the Delaware Valley. These are top-notch plumbing technicians who can accurately diagnose and quickly fix any and all plumbing problems. Plumbing emergencies are our specialty!

For more information, please visit the Horizon Comfort Zone blog.