How to Raise a Water Heater Off the Floor
How Water Heaters Work
Water heaters raise the temperature of water for use in bathing, cooking, irrigation, industry and other hot-water applications. Here's how the three basic types of water heaters work.
Electric Tank-Style Water Heaters
The standard water heater found in most households is a tank-style heater powered with electricity. The water heater resembles a large cylinder made of metal and is insulated.
At the top of the electric tank-style heater is a connection to a cold-water dip tube that's inserted into the tank. The dip tube is long enough to supply cold water below the electric heating elements in the water heater. The heating elements or burners heat the cold water, which rises to the top of the water heater. A heat-out pipe is connected to the top of the water heater and delivers hot water from the top section of the tank.
Gas-Fueled Tank-Style Water Heaters
Gas-fueled tank-style water heaters work similarly to electric tank-style water heaters. A dip tube brings cold water into the tank, and a heat-out pipe delivers hot water to hot water plumbing fixtures from the top of the tank. However, gas-fueled heaters work by heating the water in the tank via an internal metal chimney. A gas burner supplies a flame that raises the temperature of the metal chimney. The fumes and hot air from the gas combustion rise up in the chimney and flow outside via the chimney vent system. Both gas and electric tank-style water heaters heat and store water, so hot water is always available.
Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters are also called demand-type water heaters. While tank-style heaters act as storage units for hot water, tankless water heaters only heat water as needed. You turn on the hot water tap, cold water begins flowing into the tankless appliance, and the appliance begins heating the water immediately with a heat exchanger. Tankless water heaters are available in gas-fired and electric versions.
Tankless water heaters save money because they aren't constantly heating stored water. Hot water continues flowing as long as you need it, and the appliance shuts off as soon as hot water taps are closed. However, tankless water heaters have a limited ability to provide continuous hot water. Gas-fired water heaters offer higher flow rates of hot water than electric tankless water heaters. If a home or business needs a large quantity of hot water for simultaneous uses, several tankless water heaters can be installed.
Water Heater Thermostats
All types of water heaters include thermostats that the user sets to their preferred temperature. Lowering the water-heater thermostat can help save energy and protect small children from scalding. Higher water-heater thermostat settings can ensure that there is ample hot water for a large family, a busy restaurant or a business that uses a large quantity of heated water.
Water Heater Safety
Tank-style water heaters include anode rods and temperature-pressure relief valves. Anode rods are sacrificial devices that protect the tank from corrosion. Temperature-pressure relief valves let pressurized hot water out of the tank to reduce risks of water-heater explosions. Both anode rods and temperature-pressure valves must be maintained and tested periodically.
More From QuestionsAnswered.net
How to Raise a Water Heater Off the Floor
Source: https://www.questionsanswered.net/article/how-water-heaters-work?utm_content=params%3Ao%3D740012%26ad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex
0 Response to "How to Raise a Water Heater Off the Floor"
Post a Comment