Electric Water Heaters

What Are Electric Water Heaters?

Heating domestic water can add to the monthly utility costs for homeowners. However, electric water heaters can boil this amount down to 25% of the annual energy use. Furthermore, electric water heaters work in a similar way to gas water heaters. 

Here is how: cold water enters the device through a dip tube. It is then heated using electric heating elements. This causes hot water to rise in the tank and move throughout the property using a heat-out water pipe. 

Electric heaters are seen as a better alternative as they are easier on the environment, minimizing the potential carbon footprint.

How Do Electric Water Heaters Work?

The only difference in hot water heating using a gas and electric water heater is operation basics. In both water heaters, the cold water is funnelled at the bottom of the tank through a dip tube. 

In electric variants, the thermostat is set up against the internal tank. When the internal temperature falls below the threshold, the thermostat senses it and triggers a switch. 

When turned on, the switch allows electricity to flow towards the heating element. This heating element is submerged in the water inside the tank. 

It then passes electricity through a resistant material and converts the energy into heat. And when the water reaches the desired temperature, the thermostat restricts the power going towards the heating element. 

The top and bottom portions are alternatively heated using dual heated elements, each with its thermostat. 

Once the water heats up, it smoothly flows throughout the house, allowing homeowners to enjoy a smooth, cosy shower.

How Do Gas Water Heaters Work?

Gas water heaters contain thermostats made of small copper tubes. And these tube tips include mercury sensors. 

These gas models also have special thermocouple sensors that sense when the pilot light starts burning. So if the pilot light is out, the thermocouple sensors will block the gas flow towards the burner.

When the water temperature in the tank lowers, a signal is sent to the gas control valve via the thermostat. 

The gas control valve ensures that a pilot light exists. If the gas valve ascertains the pilot light, the gas can flow towards the burner, kindling a flame.

Once the flame ignites, the bottom of the tank is heated, causing the cold water to sink and warm water to rise. 

This creates a natural circulation cycle. Since the heat rises through the central flue, the temperature stays uniform throughout the process. 

This mainly happens because the water rises through the tank and then; eaves through a ventilation funnel. 

Once the water reaches the desired temperature, the thermostat signals to the gas control valve, allowing gas to flow off.

Types Of Water Heaters

Air To Water Heat Pumps

Air to water heat pumps use air from an external source and use it to heat water. They contain an external heat exchanger unit that absorbs heat from the air through a fan. Electric instant water heaters like these are much efficient than any other heating pump. 

Solar Hot Water Systems

Solar water heaters work through a conventional water heating process. When the water stored in the panels heat up, it rises into the water tanks in the ceiling. Then, the increased hot water moves into hot water cylinders located anywhere in the house. 

Moreover, the cold water flows downwards, creating a circulation process. Therefore, the solar geyser must not be installed lower than the panels outside the roofs. 

This can hinder the convection process, and circulation pumps will be needed to move water between the tank. 

Buffer tanks can be used in combination with solar hot water cylinders to help reduce the cycling of the solar hot water systems.

Water Boilers 

Water boilers provide hot water and heating in commercial buildings and homes. These boilers heat water for bathrooms and showers and use hot water to warm up homes during winters.

Tankless Water Heaters

Electric tankless water heaters heat the water in homes only when needed. When homeowners turn on a hot water tap, water from pipes enters and passes through the heat exchanger to increase the water temperature. 

These electric instant water heaters can help save costs and reduce energy bills while continuously supplying hot water on demand.

Care And Maintenance

Maintaining electric water heating pumps can benefit homeowners in unique ways. However, with these pumps, heat loss often lowers their efficiency. The best way to prevent heat loss is by adding insulation to heating pumps. 

Homeowners need to flush their electric water heating systems every six months. However, the mineral content of local water supplies can cause sediments to accumulate in the valves. 

Periodically draining out the water can help improve efficiency and increase the lifespan of electric water heaters. 

Sometimes, sediment accumulation can get so bad that the entire system needs to be replaced. For example, in areas with loads of limestone beneath the ground, the groundwater can pick up magnesium and calcium, along with some other porous minerals resulting in a complex deposition. 

Before draining the electric water heater, it is essential to turn it off. If the pilot light is lit manually, it can easily be turned off. Unfortunately, tankless water heaters are also prone to sediment damage. 

The water in these heaters can be drained using a pump that circulates water through the system. In addition, a tankless water heater flush kit can help make the job easier.