How a Storage Water Heater Works?

Planning to buy a new hot water tank? Or just curious to know how the storage water heater installed in your house works? 

Standard storage water heaters or tank water heaters come in two variants, electric and gas. Both the types convert energy into heat and transfer that heat to water. This is how hot water is supplied to all the faucets and appliances in a house. This article explains how a gas storage water heater works. 

Working of a Gas Storage Water Heater:

• A Gas storage water heater uses fuel, specifically propane or natural gas, which is why it is less expensive than the electric variant.
• This storage water heater has a gas burner which is mainly responsible for heating water. 
• Thermostat detects the temperature of the water in the tank and gas valve regulates the amount of fuel supply to the gas burner. Natural or propane gas is piped to this gas valve. The burner is ignited by a pilot light or spark ignition.
• All the unnecessary and toxic emissions from the burner are collected by the flue baffle and it flows through the flue tube, connected to the vent pipe. The vent pipe forces the emissions up through the tank, at the top, and normally up through the roof. Many latest technology storage water heaters have fans assisting this vent so that emissions can be piped out through the walls. This mechanism acts like a chimney for the hot water tanks.
• A drain valve is located near the base of the tank, on the exterior part. This valve is used to empty the tank or flush the sediments out of it.
• A tube extends down inside the water heater tank. Hot water exits from this tube through the hot water outlet because the tank is always under high pressure.
• Cold water enters the tank through the cold water inlet or diffuser dip when hot water exits from it. This cold water pipe or diffuser dip has a shut off valve outside the tank, at the top.
• An anode rod made of magnesium or aluminum is placed inside the tank. This anode carries out the process of ionization to minimize the water’s corrosive elements that reduce the tank’s shelf life. The larger the anode, the longer the hot water tank survives.
• The pressure/temperature relief valve is placed on the top of the tank. It opens automatically if the temperature or pressure exceeds the safe limits.
• Combustion gas openings are vents that remove the combustion gas created in the tank.
• The entire tank is sealed with a non-flammable, insulating material to reduce standby heat.

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A variety of gas storage water tanks is available in the market depending on the size and tank capacity. Take help of our professional water heater installers to select a perfect hot water tank for your house. You can also get in touch with us for the maintenance of your storage water heater.