Most homeowners don’t truly realize how much they depend on their water heater until their hot water runs out. Once our nice, steamy shower turns into an ice bath is when we truly comprehend our water heater’s value. That’s why it’s so important that every homeowner knows the ins and outs of their water heater.

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Learn about the different parts of the gas water heater and how it works to keep your water warm.

Parts of a Gas Water Heater

Before getting into how your gas water heater works, you need to know about the components that make up your AC. There are nine main parts that work together to give you hot water:

  1.   The Tank. This is the main part of the water heater. The tank houses all of the components of the heater and holds the water. Generally, the tank holds around 40 to 60 gallons of water.
  2.   The Burner. Gas water heaters use a burner, located at the bottom of the tank, to heat the water.
  3.   The Dip tube. The dip tube runs from the top of the tank to the bottom. This is the part responsible for bringing water into the tank.
  4.   The Thermostat. The thermostat keeps track of the temperature in the water tank. It signals the burner to turn on or off.
  5.   The Shut-off valve. Located above the water heater, the shut-off valve turns off the water flow to the tank.
  6.   The Drain valve. This part is used to empty the water from the tank. This may be done when a part inside the tank needs to be replaced or the tank itself needs to be moved.
  7.   The Heat-out pipe. Hot water leaves the tank through the heat-out pipe, located towards the top of the tank.
  8.   Pressure relief valve. Too much pressure in your water heater is a dangerous thing. The pressure relief valve ensures that pressure stays at a safe level.
  9.   Sacrificial anode rod. This aluminum or magnesium rod is made of a steel core and helps the water to retard corrosion.

How it Works

The gas water heater uses a burner to heat the water in the tank. This burner will cycle on and off to keep the water at the perfect temperature. Generally, the water heater can be set anywhere from 120 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Most water heat manufacturers will recommend that you keep your water heater set between 120 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

Water comes into the tank from the dip tube, which is connected to the home’s water line. It brings in cold water to the bottom of the tank. As the water heats up, it rises to the hot of the tank where it is brought out by the heat-out pipe. The cold incoming water is always kept separate from the heated water. This way, you only receive warm water.

Never Run Out of Warm Water

There is nothing worse than running out of warm water! Trust Performance to keep your water heater in top shape. Our experienced plumbers can help with all your plumbing emergencies. Don’t suffer through another cold shower and call Performance Air conditioning, Electric, & Plumbing today!