The Simple Storage-Type Water Heater: How It Does Its JobIf you’re like many Los Angeles homeowners, you probably don’t know exactly how your tank-type water heater does its job. Here, we’ll take a look at how the different parts of your heater work together to keep you supplied with hot water when you need it.

  • The tank. This is basically an insulated metal storage cylinder that’s plumbed into your home’s cold and hot water piping. Tanks typically hold between 40 and 60 gallons of water that’s pressurized at 50 to 100 pounds per square inch.

  • The pressure relief valve. If the pressure inside your tank gets too high, this safety device opens to relieve the excess.

  • The dip tube. Whenever you use hot water, cold water from your plumbing pipe is drawn in through the dip tube located at the top of the tank.

  • The thermostat. Located on the outside, the 120- to 180-degree adjustable thermostat controls the water heating mechanisms inside the tank. It cycles on and off to maintain the temperature you set it at.

  • The heating mechanism. If your tank runs on electricity, there are two heating elements located inside. Oil-fired water heaters have a burner at the bottom of the tank, which is vented by an exhaust pipe or chimney.

  • The heat-out pipe. This is situated near the top of the tank, and it’s attached to your hot water piping. When you turn on a faucet, the hot water at the top of the tank is drawn out first.

  • The anode rod. When metal is exposed to water, it corrodes. To help combat this, water heaters have an aluminum or magnesium rod suspended in the water that’s designed to rust out so the tank won’t.

  • The drain valve. Situated at the bottom on the tank’s exterior, this valve lets you drain the tank when regular maintenance or repairs are needed.

For more expert advice about your hot water heater, contact us at Around the Clock Air Conditioning and Heating. We’ve served the home comfort needs of the Los Angeles area since 1967.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Los Angeles, North Hollywood and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about water heaters and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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