Water Heaters-How They Work

Water Heating

A.T.Martin Home Inspections LLC
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Water heating can account for 14% to 25% of the energy consumed in a home. A homeowner can reduce their monthly water heating bills by selecting the appropriate water heater for their home or pool and by using some energy-efficient water heating strategies.
Conventional Storage Water Heaters
Conventional storage water heaters remain the most popular type of water heating system for the home.
How They Work
A single-family storage water heater offers a ready reservoir—from 20 to 80 gallons—of hot water. It operates by releasing hot water from the top of the tank when you turn on the hot water tap. To replace that hot water, cold water enters the bottom of the tank, ensuring that the tank is always full.
On top of the tank are two thin pipes:  one pipe is the hot-water outlet, and the other is the cold-water inlet. A large pipe in the middle is called a vent pipe. A pressure/temperature-relief valve is also on top of the tank and is connected to an open pipe that runs down the side of the tank. Another valve near the bottom of the outside of the tank is the thermostat and gas valve. The graphic below shows the parts inside the tank, which include a large tube called a flue tube/heat exchanger. Inside this tube is a jagged insert called a flue baffle. Beside the flue tube/heat exchanger is a thin tube called the anode rod. At the bottom of the tank is a gas burner, and beneath the burner are combustion air openings.