Water Heaters

Water heaters come in two standard forms, tank or tankless. Most homes utilize tank water heaters. These heaters use a cylindrical tank full of hot water ready for your home at all times. Sizes vary, as does the energy source used to heat the water. Standard tanks typically range from 30 to 50 gallons, and the water can be heated with electricity, natural gas or propane. To determine what size or energy source to power yours is best for your home, contact the Anaheim plumbers at Platinum Plumbing.

A tankless water heater only provides water as needed to your home. That means it saves energy and therefore, saves you money. These heaters are designed to heat water directly, so they are more efficient than conventional tank water heaters. Natural gas and propane are the primary energy sources used with tankless water heaters. These heaters save energy because in a standard heater, the water in the tank cools off throughout the day, meaning it will need to be reheated.

Some homes are now turning to solar powered heaters to heat their Costa Mesa homes. Solar collectors are installed outside the home. Most models are what is called direct gain, which consists of flat panels to circulate the water. The storage tank can be located either inside or outside the home to collect heated water. Circulation is caused by natural convection or by an electric pump. The circulation can be stopped at night to keep water in the tank from cooling.

Hot water circulating pumps are used to circulate hot water through a home so that faucets provide hot water on demand. Because water is piped through from the water heater, once the tap is turned off, the water that remains in the pipes cools. This is why we commonly experience a wait between turning on the tap and receiving warm water. Some homes use a recirculation pump to ensure that hot water is always waiting for them in their pipes.

If you have questions about your water heater, or are interested in installing a new tankless system, call Platinum Plumbing today.