How Water Heaters Work to Provide Hot Water on Demand

Imagine waking up to a cold shower on a chilly morning, or coming home after a long day and finding that your bathwater is freezing. It’s hard to imagine living without hot water, and that’s why water heaters have become an indispensable part of our lives.

But have you ever thought about how these appliances work? Today, we’re going to explore the inner workings of water heaters and uncover the magic behind the hot water that we all crave.

There are two most common types of water heaters: tank-style and tankless. Tank-style heaters work by storing hot water in a tank and keeping it heated until it’s needed, while tankless heaters heat water on demand without the need for storage tanks.

If you have a tank-style water heater, you probably have a large tank located somewhere in your home, like your basement or garage. Inside the tank, there’s a gas or electric burner at the bottom that heats up the water. As the water heats up, it rises to the top of the tank, ready to be used whenever you turn on a hot water tap. To keep the tank full, cold water is added at the bottom as hot water is drawn from the top.

Tankless water heaters, on the other hand, heat water as it flows through a series of coils or a heat exchanger. When you turn on a hot water tap, the water flows through these coils, where it’s heated up by a gas burner or electric element. Because tankless water heaters only heat water on demand, they’re more energy-efficient than their tank-style counterparts, which continuously heat up water even when it’s not being used.

Regardless of the type of water heater you have, it’s important to make sure that it’s properly maintained. Tank-style heaters need to be flushed regularly to remove sediment buildup, which can reduce efficiency and cause premature failure. Tankless heaters need to be descaled periodically to remove mineral buildup inside the heat exchanger.

It’s worth noting that all water heaters come equipped with temperature and pressure relief valves to ensure safe operation. These valves release excess pressure or temperature to prevent the tank from exploding, keeping you and your home safe.