A water heater heats water, so occupants can wash in warm or hot water. In some cases the heated water is used to heat the home with water or steam radiators. How water piping can also be wisely placed to provide other benefits, like heating a bathroom's tile floor.

Contents 1 Considerations 1.1 Safety 1.2 Energy usage and efficiency 1.3 Capacity 2 Questions 3 Related 4 References 4.1 Manufacturers

ConsiderationsEdit

• energy efficiency
• safety
• capacity

SafetyEdit

If a hot water heater is not used for several weeks, hydrogen can build up in the tank. This can be dangerous, if an electrical appliance is the first device to use the water heater. To avoid a possible explosion, if you haven't used the hot water heater for two or more weeks, run the hot water from the tap for a few minutes before using an appliance, like a clothes washer or dishwasher.

Energy usage and efficiencyEdit

New, higher efficiency furnaces and water heaters create a higher acidic exhaust, which can corrode older chimneys, especially a brick one without a liner. So, if you are replacing an older system, you may need a new chimney vent or liner for your chimney.

By using a temperature setting that's lower than the maximum that most systems allow, you can reduce the chance that someone one will accidentally be scalded. This is especially true in a house with small children, where a little one may decide to do something like take a bath on his or her own... stepping into the tub and then turning on the hot water. Many home water heaters go up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit (°F), and for most purposes 120° F (about 49° Celsius) is hot enough. The exception is some older dishwashers which do not have their own water heating. (Check your appliances' manuals.)

As a bonus, if you turn down your water temperature, you save energy and money. For that 20°F reduction in temperature, it's likely that you'll save 6-10% on the energy to heat your water. And in addition, at the lower temperature the corrosion and mineral build up in the pipes will occur more slowly and other components in your system may last longer.

If you want to save on energy costs and use a "greener" energy source, consider a solar powered water heater.

See the article on solar water heaters on the Green wikia.

CapacityEdit

In the U.S., the capacity of the water heater is generally 30 gallons for a mobile home, 40 gallons for a home with 1-2 bathrooms, and 50 gallons for homes with more bathrooms. You save energy by not getting a larger capacity than you need.

QuestionsEdit

I've been told that water heaters break down and need replacement without much warning. Is that your experience? With an older water heater (more than 20 years old), should I be ready to replace it without notice?

• Surprise! The answer was "yes", in my case.

RelatedEdit

• shower
• bathtub
• chimney
• water saving tips

On other Wikia

See the article on solar water heaters on the Green wikia.

ReferencesEdit

• U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy on Furnaces and Boilers and Water Heating
• About.com's Home Repair section on Fixing That Hot Water Heater! and Troubleshooting a Tank Type Water Heater

ManufacturersEdit

The following are commercial sites listed with the newest added at the top.

• Bradford White Corporation
• A. O. Smith Water Heaters
• Rheem Heating Cooling and Water Heating Products