Tank type Water Heater Denver keep large amounts of water at optimum temperature. They can be powered by electricity, gas, propane or heating oil.
They use an insulated tank and heating elements to heat the water. They also come with a drain valve and shut off valve. Their performance can be improved by adding an anode rod.
A water heater is a major energy consumer and contributes to high utility bills. To reduce the costs and environmental impacts of these appliances, look for models that use less energy. Energy Efficiency Ratings (EER) and Uniform Energy Factor (UEF) are the best measures of a water heater’s performance.
A ENERGY STAR model has an EER of 65 to 95 percent, while a UEF of 0.65 to 0.95 indicates good overall efficiency. Gas models, which use natural gas to heat water, are typically more efficient than electric models, but they may require an upgrade of your home’s gas line for a retrofit installation.
Most electric tank water heaters consume large amounts of electrical energy, and this can lead to higher electricity bills than necessary. This inefficient heating is often due to scale and calc build-up on the heating elements, which reduces their ability to transfer heat to the water.
Upgrading to a new, energy-efficient electric water heater will reduce these costs by providing more hot water with less electricity. These units are available with smart thermostats that allow them to initiate heating during off-peak times when there is less demand for electricity.
Many areas of the country experience heavy snowfall, and these conditions can block solar panels from receiving energy from the sun. To compensate for this, a hybrid water heater uses an electric demand pump to provide hot water in addition to solar power. These units also feature a gas or electric back-up for times when the sun doesn’t shine.
Choosing the right type of water heater depends on your home’s location, family needs and green building goals. Regardless of which type you choose, you can further reduce your utility bill by investing in water-saving showerheads and faucet aerators. It is also a good idea to examine how you can lower your household’s peak hourly demand for hot water, as this will further improve the energy efficiency of your appliance. If you are a homeowner, the federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit and state-level incentives offer a way to save even more money on these appliances.
Tank Size
If you have a storage water heater, its size will have an impact on how efficiently it will operate. The optimum tank size for your home depends on your family’s hot water demands, which you can estimate by looking at your current water heater’s first hour rating (FHR).
The FHR tells how much hot water the water heater can deliver during its peak usage hour when starting with a full tank. It takes into account heat loss as hot water is consumed, plus the amount of time it takes for new hot water to reheat after an empty tank drains.
You can find the FHR on the EnergyGuide label that’s usually located on the front of your water heater. The FHR is also printed on the water heater manufacturer’s technical data sheet.
In addition to calculating your family’s hot water consumption, you should consider the number of people living in your household as well as how many rooms there are. Then you can determine how many BTUs and gallons of capacity you need for your new water heater.
Most homes can get by with a 50-gallon tank for their water heater, but if you live in an older home with multiple bathrooms or you have an especially large family, you may need a larger one.
Storage tank water heaters use gas, electric, or propane to keep hot water at a constant temperature and to maintain a reserve of hot water for your household. They are available in a wide range of sizes, from 20 to 100 gallons.
A tank-type water heater has a dip tube that connects to the hot water supply line and sits at the bottom of the unit. Hot water rises from the tank and flows into the house through a hot water service line, which leads to your faucets and appliances. A drain valve and shut-off valve are typically located near the tank.
The tank-type water heater also has a pressure relief valve that helps to prevent overpressure of the water inside the tank. It is important to have this valve installed properly as it can be very dangerous if not installed correctly.
Thermostat
A thermostat is essential to your hot water cylinder because it enables the unit to regulate its temperature to maintain a set point. The thermostat senses that the temperature has reached your desired level and then shuts off the heating elements to avoid overheating. It fires up again when the temperature begins to fall to maintain your preferred hot water level.
Thermostats are located in the dip tube, top and bottom of your tank. They can be stem, bulb or digital models. Each senses the water temperature in different ways, but they all function in the same way. As hot water is dispensed from the taps, it travels through the main water line into your home and then the dip tube into the tank. Cold water then enters the tank through the dip tube and the lower thermostat is the first to notice a drop in temperature as it senses the hot water has been used up.
Unlike the electric element, which is prone to burning out, the dip tube is made of steel so that it is less susceptible to damage from chemical and mineral deposits. It also protects you from scalding in the event of a problem with the heater, which can cause water to back up into your home.
A gas water heater requires a separate thermostat in addition to the gas valve control. These thermostats use a thermistor to measure water temperature and produce an electrical current. This changes with the temperature of the water in the tank and tells the gas control to turn ON or OFF the burner, depending on the result.
When a thermostat fails, you’ll usually notice the hot water isn’t heating. It’s important to test your thermostat as soon as you notice a problem, as this will help ensure you have a reliable system and reduce the risk of expensive repairs. To test a thermostat, turn off the power to your water heater by turning the breaker inside the electric access panel off. Then remove the access panel and move any insulation away from the thermostat to expose its screws. Remove the insulation and number each of the thermostat’s screws so you can re-install them in the same position. Next, touch one of your multimeter’s leads to the left-side thermostat terminal and the other lead to the reset terminal. The meter display should indicate close to zero Ohms of resistance.
Maintenance
As with all home appliances, regular professional maintenance will help keep a water heater working efficiently for years to come. This will reduce energy costs and the need for repairs or replacements. Professionals can also provide insight and guidance on different types of water heaters, so if you’re looking for a new unit, they can help you choose the right one for your home.
While you can perform many of the tasks associated with water heater maintenance yourself, it is a good idea to hire a professional for some tasks. They will be able to spot problems that you may miss and ensure that the unit is operating properly and efficiently.
Annual water heater maintenance includes flushing the tank, checking and changing the anode rod if necessary, inspecting for rust or leaks, and testing the thermostat and valves. Before performing any of these tasks, shut off the incoming cold water and gas (if applicable) at the water heater’s respective valves. Next, connect a garden hose to the drain valve located on the bottom of the tank and open it. Drain about two or three gallons of water from the tank. This will flush out sediments that can build up and shorten the life of your water heater.
Once the water heater is empty, close the drain valve. If you need to change the anode rod, you’ll need to turn off the incoming water and shut off the electricity or gas at the circuit breaker or control panel. Then, disconnect the wires from the anode rod and unscrew it from the top of the tank using an element wrench. Replace the rod with a magnesium, aluminum, or zinc anode rod if needed.
Check the temperature dial or knob and adjust as necessary to match your family’s water usage needs. If you’re going on vacation, consider turning the temperature down or setting it to vacation mode to conserve energy and save money while away. You should also periodically wrap the water heater in an insulation blanket to prevent heat loss.