Now that things are starting to cool down in Baltimore, Maryland, you can’t start your day right without a warm shower. Your hands also never really feel clean unless you washed them with hot water. Thanks to simple, efficient technology, your water heater provides a constant supply of comfort and convenience. Here’s how.
How Does Your Water Heater Work?
Water heaters warm water and store it for future use, whether for your shower or for washing the dishes. Most water heaters are either fueled by natural gas or oil.
Gas water heaters are the most common type of water heater. In a gas water heater, cold water enters the tank. If that water’s temperature is below a programmed threshold, a sensor sends a signal to an igniter that kicks on a burner in the combustion chamber. That burner then heats the core and the water. That hot water rises to the top of the tank where it is sent through a discharge pipe to your plumbing fixtures.
Oil water heaters are similar in many ways to their gas-fired cousins, save for a unique burner system. Oil water heaters mix air with oil and inject that mixture into the burner as a mist. A spark then ignites that mix and the flame is used to heat the core inside the tank.
Which Water Heater Is Best for You?
If both water heaters are relatively similar in design, does choosing one over the other really make a difference? That largely depends on your needs. Gas water heaters, for example, tend to be more energy-efficient than oil heaters, and they also tend to have a longer lifespan. Oil water heaters, however, can usually heat large amounts of water much more quickly than gas water heaters, which can be useful if you have a large family and high hot water demand.
Hot water heaters are a center of comfort and convenience in your home, so find the water heater that works best for you. To install a new water heater today, call Griffith Energy Services at 888-474-3391.
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