When it comes to water heaters, there apparently are quite a few types to choose from. Depending on what will work best for your situation, you can choose conventional, tankless, solar powered, condensing and heat pump systems.
If you live in a condo, there's certainly not going to be much room for a conventional water heater so you're going to want to use a tankless system. Because the tank is omitted, the space required is far less, thus allowing you to easily fit it in.
One of the drawbacks of a tanked water heater is that the supply is limited to what is stored. As such, you're going to want to choose the right size given the number of people in your household to ensure that there's enough for everyone.
One of the most important components of a tanked water heater is its sacrificial anode rod. This long rod—usually aluminum or magnesium—is meant to absorb the corrosive elements that would otherwise wreak havoc on the tank itself.
If you're looking for a water heater that won't drive up your electricity bill, one type you can opt for would be a heat pump. Unlike other water heaters, heat pumps don't use heating coils, but instead absorbs heat from the ground and air and transfers it to water.
What is a dip tube? In tanked water heater system, this is a pipe that introduces cold water into the tank. However, instead of filling from the top, these long tubes release water at the bottom of the tank so that it comes in contact with the surface that's being heated.
The first hour rating (FHR) displayed on the Energy Star label of your water heater is referred to as the recovery rate. This is the amount of water the unit can heat to the desired temperature in one hour.
Do you know that in the early 20th century, more than 150 manufacturers competed in the water heater industry? Today, there are only a few.
If there is a sudden smell of sulfur rising with the steam when the hot water is turned on, it is highly likely that the water heater anode rod needs replacing. If the anode is not replaced, it will shorten the service life of the hot water heater and leaking may develop.
According to America's Energy Star program, you could save up to 20% on your water heating bill if you use a tankless model. In addition, many tankless water heaters qualify for federal tax rebates.
Before the invention of modern water heaters, homes would use a pipe loop called a water-back to heat water. The loop was connected to the stove and as water was heated, it would move to a storage tank.
What size capacity water heater would a four-person household likely require? Well, a household with 4 members requires a 40- to 50-gallon water heater to adequately supply enough hot water.
