Most of us have grown up with a traditional water heating tank in our home. It may have been installed in the garage, storage room, and maybe even in the attic in some regions. Although we all have them, many people are unaware of how they work, so I want to share some basics about how you can heat the water that supplies your home.
- A traditional water heater is a tank usually sized in the 50-75 gallon range and heats the water by allowing the water to contact a heating element inside the tank.
- Heating tanks can be run on electricity, gas, and propane.
- Tanks include a pressure-release valve that opens if the pressure in the tank exceeds the designated pressure level. This is a safety device and when opened, water will exit the tank.
- When installed anywhere other than a garage, a tank should sit within a catch-pan that is connected to the homes plumbing so that any leaks will be routed out of the home without damage.
- Circulating pumps can continuously route hot water through a "loop" in your home's plumbing that provides nearly instant hot water to each faucet. Usually the wait is only a few seconds.
Be sure to watch the video to hear about water heaters and the various parts and functions of them. If you have any questions about them and how those relate to a home you're considering, please contact me.
