How do tank water heaters work?
Tank water heaters allow cold water to flow into the bottom of the tank through a “dip tube.”
As the water starts to fill the tank, multiple temperature sensors throughout the tank continually measure the average temperature of the water.
If the temperature drops too far below the set point as the new water enters the tank, the heating mechanism will turn on until the water has returned to the set point.
If you use a gas power source, like natural gas or liquid propane, your tank water will be heated by a flame under the tank and a hot air flue running up through the center of the tank.
Standard electric water heaters heat water with resistive wire heating elements immersed in the water of the tank.
Hybrid electric heat pump water heaters use electricity to power a compressor and a condenser to efficiently transfer heat from the ambient air into the water.
When hot water is needed, it exits the tank through a hot water outlet and is distributed to the home.
Both A. O. Smith tank and tankless water heaters can reliably deliver hot water in your home.
Tank water heaters are more affordable in price, installation and repair costs.
They are easy to install and more likely to integrate into your home’s existing electrical and plumbing systems.
With a tank water heater you will always have a supply of hot water even in the instance of a power outage.
Tankless water heaters are much smaller in size and offer great space savings.
They can be easily installed in bathrooms, under sinks or in closets. With a tankless water heater you have on-demand access to continuous hot water.
Their high efficiency operation boasts cost and energy savings.