Having a ready supply of hot water available is one of the basic luxuries many of us take for granted. But have you ever wondered how your water heater reliably delivers hot water to your plumbing any time you want it or the difference between a traditional system and a tankless unit?

How Traditional Water Heaters Work

The water heater most people are familiar with consist of a large steel tank, lined with glass to prevent corrosion. These tanks are connected through pipes at the top. This is where you'll find a water supply and delivery pipe, which takes hot water off of the top when you open a tap.

Traditional water heaters use either electricity or gas to heat water. An electric unit features two heating coils, one at the bottom and one in the middle of the tank, which engage when the temperature in the tank drops below a certain threshold. Gas-powered heaters work a lot like a furnace, lighting a flame directly underneath the tank and heating it from below.

Tankless Water Heaters

While traditional water heaters keep a reservoir of hot water available at all times, tankless units heat the water as you use it. Some of these units work by drawing heat from your home's boiler, but many on the market today are standalone devices that use a heating coil to bring water to the desired temperature.

If your water heater goes out in Minneapolis–Saint Paul, rely on Do It Right Plumbing Sewer & Drain Services to get your hot water flowing. Check out their full line of water heater services online now, call (612) 388-8524 for a visit from one of the area's best plumbers, or follow their Facebook for regular updates and plumbing advice.