Water Heater Glossary Terms
Water Heater Glossary
Welcome to our Water Heater Glossary, where simplicity meets understanding. Explore essential terms like Anode Rod, Thermostat, Sediment, Pressure Relief Valve, and Tankless Water Heater. Whether you’re a homeowner or technician, this concise guide empowers you to grasp the basics, ensuring effective water heater awareness.
Anode Rod
A sacrificial rod in a water heater that attracts corrosive elements, protecting the tank from rust and corrosion.
Dip Tube
A tube inside the water heater that directs incoming cold water to the bottom of the tank, ensuring even heating.
Thermostat
A device regulating the water temperature in the heater. It can be adjustable or programmable.
Pressure Relief Valve
A safety device releasing excess pressure to prevent the tank from exploding due to pressure build-up.
Sediment
Accumulated minerals and debris at the bottom of the water heater tank, requiring periodic flushing to maintain efficiency.
Flue Pipe
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Temperature And Pressure Relief Valve
A safety valve opening to release water in case of excessive temperature or pressure.
Gas Control Valve
Regulates the flow of gas to the burner in gas water heaters, controlling the heating process.
Electric Heating Element
In electric water heaters, a component that heats the water when an electric current passes through it.
Thermocouple
Safety device in gas water heaters that shuts off the gas supply if the pilot light goes out.
Flushing
The process of draining and cleaning the water heater tank to remove sediment and maintain efficiency.
Expansion Tank
A device absorbing excess water pressure, preventing damage to the water heater and plumbing system.
Combustion Chamber
The area in a gas water heater where the burner heats the water.
Heat Exchanger
A component transferring heat from the burner or heating element to the water.
Pilot Light
A small flame that ignites the gas burner in gas water heaters.
Backdraft
Backdraft occurs when exhaust fumes from a gas-fired water heater spill back into the unit or home, posing a significant hazard. Signs of backdraft include melted plastic on the draft hood, moisture on the hot water storage tank, and corrosion on top.
Burner
Component inside of gas-fired water heaters that produce a flame. In gas-fired tank-type heaters, the burner heats the hot water storage tank; in tankless water heaters, the burner heats the heat exchanger.
Circulation Pump
A closed-loop plumbing system that recirculates warm water throughout a home. Along with point-of-use water heaters, circulation pumps are a solution for large homes in which it takes a long time for hot water to reach appliances and fixtures located far away from the water heater.
Cold-Water Inlet Pipe
Pipe that carries cold water into a water heater system.
Cold-Water Valve
Valve that switches the cold-water inlet pipe on and off.
Drain Cock
Water spigot located at the bottom of hot water storage tanks used to flush the tank.
Electrical Resistance Heating Elements
Rods inside of electric tank-type water heaters that convert electrical energy into heat.
Gas Control Valve
Valve attached to gas pipe that turns the flow of gas on or off.
Heat Exchanger
Component of tankless water heaters that heats up cold water by means of a heating coil..
Hot Water Storage Tank
Cylindrical tank, typically made of steel and lined with glass, that stores hot water in tank-type water heaters.
Flue Baffle
Tube that runs from the burner to the vent of gas-fired tank-type water heaters that helps remove exhaust and by-products that result from the combustion process
Flow Sensor
Sensor inside of tankless water heaters attached to the cold-water inlet pipe. Flow sensors turn on the tankless water heater system when they detect cold water flowing into the system.
Hot-Water Outlet Pipe
Pipe that carries hot water out of the water heater and into the home’s hot water pipes
Lag Time
Time it takes for hot water to reach the appropriate appliance or fixture.
Pilot Light
Component of gas-fired water heaters that ignites the burner.
Point-of-Use Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters that attach directly to a fixture or appliance. Often used in large homes where lag time is an issue. Can also be used for appliances or fixtures that aren’t attached to the home’s hot water system.
Sacrificial Anode Rod
Magnesium rod found in tank-type water heaters that corrodes in place of the tank or other internal components. Anode rods should be inspected about once a year and replaced once they have fully corroded.
Tankless Water Heater
A type of water heater that does not include a hot water storage tank. Instead, tankless water heaters heat water as it passes through a heat exchanger. High-end gas-fired tankless water heaters have minimal lag time, which is why they are often referred to as ‘on-demand’ or ‘instantaneous.
Supply and Delivery Pipes
General term for both cold-water inlet pipe and hot-water outlet pipe.
Tank Water Heater
A type of water heater that includes a hot water storage tank.
Thermostatic Mixing Valve
Valve that prevents scalding by adding cold water to a stream of hot water.
T&P Deposit Pipe
Pipe that releases water when the pressure or temperature inside of a hot water storage tank is too high. T&P deposit pipes typically run alongside the tank and end about six inches above the floor of the home.
T&P Valve
Safety valve located at the top of hot water storage tanks. This valve monitors pressure and temperature in the tank. The valve will expel water through the T&P deposit pipe when the pressure or temperature within the tank is too high.
Water Heater Thermostat
Device that sets and regulates temperature. In tankless water heaters, the thermostat regulates the temperature of the water leaving the tank; in tank-type water heaters, it regulates the temperature of water within the tank.