How Does an Electric Water Heater Work?

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What exactly is an electric water heater?

How Does an Electric Water Heater Work?An electric water heater requires little or no ventilation because it does not burn fuel as it operates, so it can be installed in almost any enclosed space in a home but it will need to be plugged into an electric power source. There are many parts inside of an electric water heater that make it function properly so proper and regular maintenance is essential. The inner shell is made of a heavy metal material (usually stainless steel) and is capable of holding from 40 to 60 gallons of water at one time. A glass liner located inside helps to keep rust from accumulating and an anode rod keeps corrosion from forming on the tank itself. The exterior is typically covered with insulation such as polyurethane foam and is then covered with a decorative outer shell. A water heater is able to separate the incoming cold water from the outgoing hot water based upon the principle that heat rises, and hot water naturally rises above the colder, denser water.

When you turn on your hot water faucet, the hot water immediately exits the tank through a pipe at the top of the tank called the heat-out pipe. Fresh, cold water then replaces it by entering the tank through a dip tube where it is then heated by one or two heating elements. The temperature of the water is regulated by a thermostat; each heating element inside the water tank usually has its own thermostat, depending on the make and model of your hot water tank. Drain valves are installed near the bottom of the tank’s exterior housing to allow the tank to be drained when either the heating elements need to be replaced, sediment may have accumulated and needs to be removed, or to replace or relocate the hot water tank. In addition, a pressure release valve is installed as a safety feature and keeps the hot water tank from exploding under high pressure.

Interested in replacing your old water heater with a new electric model? Call The Water Heater Medic, your water heater specialists at (860) 896-3342 to schedule an appointment with our friendly, knowledgeable staff .

The Benefits of A O Smith Tankless Water Heaters

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Why You Should Consider Installing a Tankless Water Heater

A. O. Smith Tankless Water HeaterThe latest and most modern way to heat water for your home or business is with a tankless water heater, or "on demand" water heater. Tankless water heaters are energy efficient, take up far less space than traditional water heaters, and they provide a continuing source of hot water that does not run out, no matter how much hot water you use. Tankless hot water heaters are a green solution for homes and businesses looking to reduce their carbon footprint. Water is heated on demand when you turn on a tap. No hot water is being stored with its temperature needing to be maintained. Even though it may be hard to believe, there are no long waits for hot water to be emitted from the tap. The process is instant, and the water can be set at any temperature that you desire.

Installing a tankless hot water heater is definitely not a DIY project. It requires skilled technicians who have been professionally trained in the technology’s techniques. A tankless hot water heater resembles an electrical box, yet it is even more complicated. The series of water pipes must be connected in the correct configurations specific to each outlet where you receive the water at the taps. It also requires extensive electrical knowledge to route the heating impulses to the correct water pipe that is delivering the water where you demand it. Professional installation for tankless water heaters is a must when you choose this option for your new water heater system.

If you need a new water heater or are just interested in making your home or business more energy-efficient, a new AO Smith tankless water heater is definitely a step in the right direction. The new models are more energy-efficient than ever, saving you many dollars every year on your utility expenses. It doesn’t take long for a tankless water heater to quite literally pay for itself, because not only are you reducing your water consumption, but also your electrical energy consumption. The newest AO Smith models also deliver higher water flow rates than ever before, some as much as almost ten gallons per minute of water heated to the temperature that you have specified. They come with excellent warranties and are available in electric models, natural gas models and propane gas models. These high-efficiency on demand appliances are the next step in the green evolution of your home or business.

Need a reliable on demand water heater installer? Call Water Heater Medic, your South Windsor water heater specialists, now at (860) 896-3342 to make an appointment today!