A tank water heater works by heating water stored within an insulated tank, ready for use when a hot water tap is opened. Here's a breakdown of the process:
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Cold Water Intake: When you turn on a hot water faucet, cold water enters the water heater tank through a dip tube. This tube directs the cold water to the bottom of the tank.
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Heating Process: At the bottom of the tank is a heating mechanism, which can be either a gas burner (for gas water heaters) or an electric heating element (for electric water heaters). This heating mechanism is controlled by a thermostat.
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Thermostat Control: The thermostat monitors the water temperature in the tank. When the temperature drops below a set point, the thermostat activates the heating mechanism. Once the water reaches the desired temperature, the thermostat shuts off the heating mechanism.
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Hot Water Rise: As the water heats, it becomes less dense and rises to the top of the tank.
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Hot Water Outlet: When you open a hot water tap, hot water is drawn from the top of the tank through an outlet pipe.
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Maintaining Temperature: The water heater cycles on and off to maintain the set temperature, even when hot water isn't being used. The insulation around the tank helps to minimize heat loss and improve energy efficiency.
In summary, cold water enters the tank, is heated at the bottom, rises to the top as it heats, and is then drawn out through the hot water outlet when a tap is opened. The thermostat regulates the heating element (electric) or gas burner (gas) to keep the water at the desired temperature.
