Water Heaters

Water heaters are gas, oil or electric-fired devices used to heat water for residential and commercial use. The most common types are storage water heaters and demand water heaters. Storage water heaters work by heating up water in an insulated tank can store water up to 20 to 80 gallons. Storage water heaters are fueled by electricity, natural gas, or oil. An on demand water heater provides hot water without any storage tank. An on demand water heater uses gas, electricity, or propane as the heat source to heat the water and reduces the energy consumption by eliminating the standby losses caused by unused hot water in a tank. An on demand water heater is also known as a tankless water heater. A tankless hot water heater constantly delivers hot water by activating its heating device with the flow of water.

There are many other types of water heaters available. Examples include a hot water heater, electric water heater, solar water heater, and gas water heater. A hot water heater consists of a heavy steel tank to hold water that is insulated. The thermostat and heating elements are used respectively to control temperature and to heat the water inside the tank. An electric water heater is an insulated tank in which the electrical elements controlled by thermostat heats the water. A solar water heater uses solar energy to heat water. A solar water heater uses a small solar electric (photovoltaic) module to provide power to pump, which then circulates the heat transfer fluid through collectors. A gas water heater is also widely used because it is less expensive and heats water quickly. An instant water heater heats water instantly. Other water heaters are commonly available.

The selection of water heaters should be done on the basis of their power consumption and heating power. Good water heaters should consume less power and heat more water. Insulating jackets should be used over water heaters to reduce the heat loss by 25 to 40%. A tankless water heater can save energy up to 50%. Some examples of a tankless water heater specification include an energy factor of .98, reduced wastage of electricity, and 98% efficiency for the life of heater. An electric water heater has two 4500 watt elements, separated by a thermostat. One of the elements is placed on the top of a tank and the other at bottom. The top element heats water and when the water reaches the correct temperature, the top element shuts off and the lower element heats the remaining water. An electric water heater is available in element sizes of 2000watt, 3000w, 3800w and 4500 watts. A solar water heater use a glass tube that is coated with highly absorbing layer like aluminum nitrate that absorbs the heat energy of sun. A solar water heater can heat water to 60 °F and its storage capacity is 125 liters and more. A tankless hot water heater is available in various models depending on the maximum amount of water they can produce. A tankless hot water heater provides efficiency of 84% and the energy factor is .82. A gas water heater is provided with a temperature pressure relief valve, which is a safety device that helps to release the pressure from the tank if the temperature or pressure reaches unsafe levels. Some of the specifications of an instant water heater include excessive temperature prevention devices, water flow adjustment knobs, fireproof materials and high quality heating elements. An on demand water heater provides endless hot water, saves energy and space, and has computerized controls. Water heater services extend the life of water heaters and help in adjusting the settings to provide best results.

Water heaters are used in many applications. Examples include car washes, restaurants, and laundries. A tankless hot water heater is certified by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL). Federal regulations require that water heaters adhere to Energy Guide Labels which include Energy factor (EF) and First Hour Rating (FHR) that indicates the amount of water the heater will produce during peak hour usage.

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Part Numbers for Water Heaters