How do electric tank water heaters work?
A. O. Smith electric tank water heaters heat water using one or two electric heating elements.
When a hot water tap is opened, water pressure from the street pushes cold water into the system through a dip tube that delivers it toward the bottom of the tank.
This pushes hot water from the top of the tank out to the hot water pipes for distribution of hot water throughout the home.
Temperature sensors inside the tank signal the thermostat when to turn on the heating elements to add heat to the stored hot water.
Each electric tank water heater includes a thermostat, a temperature and pressure relief valve, and a drain valve.
All of these components are needed to monitor the hot water and ensure efficient, reliable, and safe operation.
The thermostat cycles the heating elements to regulate the water temperature to the specified temperature set on the control.
