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green building : green building materials - "Principles Of The Water Heater"

By: J. Philips

When it comes to energy consumption in the home a water heater ranks just behind air conditioners and furnaces so when making a choice a gas model answers your efficiency and economics needs. Coupled with energy efficiency, gas water heaters are also time efficient, heating water twice as fast as electricity, less expensive to run and are faster at heating a tank of water than all other forms of energy.

In a water heater, heat energy is forced into water. Water in a water heater is heated in a similar way to water in a pot placed on a burner. Natural gas is the fuel used to run several water heaters. Propane and electricity can also be employed to power some water heaters.

The least expensive fuel for water heating purposes is however natural gas. Because you actually make a flame when you burn gas they are more efficient at heating more water faster than electric because the burners are capable of higher temperatures than electric elements. The water in the tank is warmed up by the heating element known as a burner sequestered under the tank. Attached to the wall is a valve that can be opened to let in gas to the heater, or closed to stop the flow.

Since thermostats are designed to sense and regulate temperature, one is needed for the proper function of the water heater. As you change the water flow, a water valve or thermostat controls the heating elements or burner flame to maintain a constant temperature. Like in the automobile engine, a spark lights the gas in the burner. The igniter works in the same way as that in a gas grill.

It is necessary to have something like an exhaust system to get rid of toxic emissions. A PVC pipe is a vital part that crowns the venting system, through which emissions are sent. In modern day, technology has enabled the development of water heaters that use fans in conjunction with their vents that pipe out exhaust through a wall. Be informed that water heaters powered by natural gas also have an additional pipe that supplies cold water.

A cylindrical tank stores water, and once it is heated the water is supplied to faucets through internal pipes in the system. There is another type of water heater known simply as the tankless version. This variation can be used with dishwashers or a clothes washing machine by circling water through a series of burners.

The workings of a water heater without a tank take some understanding. Their ability to supply endless hot water at any needed time makes them stand out. The energy input to output ratio of a tankless water heater is also impressive. Much larger gas requirements are needed for tankless water heaters are than for storage water heaters.

Unfortunately, it does not begin to heat the water until the tap is turned on, so it takes longer to heat. A gas heater without a tank cannot hold water to any capacity. The water is instead routed to the faucets and appliances that are in need of the heated water.

Article Source: http://www.greenbuildingarticles.com

Get more information about water heaters by visiting www.water-heaters-explained.info a popular website that provides tips and guidance to solve your hot water problems Article Source: www.uberarticles.com/articles

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