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You depend on your water heater every day to clean your dishes, wash your clothes and enjoy a warm bath or shower. When properly maintained this household appliance can last anywhere from ten to 20 years, if not longer. To help you better understand your hot water heating and get the most out of the unit, possibly reducing your utility bills, the electricians and heating experts at Brian’s Heating & Electrical in Mifflinburg, PA have put together a brief guide to the operations of the modern water heating system.

Unless you have a tankless water heater, which heats water as you use it—also called a demand water heater—your appliance heats the water and stores it in a large tank inside the unit. Usually, the water heater is stored in your laundry room, basement or utility closet, and it supplies hot water to your entire house. These units are powered by electricity or gas, depending on the design. Cold water is routed into the bottom of the tank through the dip tube, and the water is then heated by the fuel source. It remains in the container until you turn on your hot water at a fixture, which brings the heated water to you, wherever you are in your home.

residential electricianIf you have a tankless water heater, then you’ve probably seen this small, compact unit in your bathroom or laundry room. It uses electricity or gas to heat the water when you turn your hot water on and allows you to enjoy an endless stream, rather than holding you to the usual 25 to 40 gallons, depending on the size of the common unit. Both of these units come with a thermostat which allows the homeowner to set the temperature that they prefer.

The biggest difference between a tankless water heater and a common one is the savings each month on your utility bill. The biggest energy hog in your home is the water heater. Even when you aren't using hot water, a basic water heater keeps the tank at a constant temperature and cycles it several times a day. A tankless water heater, on the other hand, only uses energy when you need hot water for a faucet, shower, or appliance—it doesn't heat the water before you need it.

Whether you need to install a water heater on your property or you’re experiencing problems with your current unit, an electrician or heating service can help you with the project. If the idea of a tankless water heater appeals to you, give Brian's Heating  & Electrical a call at (570) 966-7295 or visit them online today.

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