Your home’s water heater could be electric or gas powered, but either way, the water heater parts that comprise it are uniquely designed to take in cold water from the water main and provide your living space with heated water. Although there are several notable differences between the two primary types of water heater, they share many parts. This article explains 7 basic water heater parts. Where they differ between gas and electric heaters will be noted.

The first primary part of both kinds of water heater is the heavy steel tank. Capable of carrying between 40 and 60 gallons of water, water heater tanks are equipped to handle water at 300 psi, although in practice it never gets much higher than 100 psi. In order to prevent rust from getting into the water, water heater tanks have a lining of bonded glass. They are also incredibly well insulated to maintain heat efficiency. Electric tanks are typically smaller than those powered by natural gas.

This is the pipe on both kinds of water heater where the cold water enters into the tank. Located at its top is a shutoff valve to stop the flow of water into the tube and the tank. The dip tube extends almost to the bottom of the tank to deposit cold water at the low point.

This is the pipe through which the heated water leaves the tank. It is much shorter than the dip tube, for as water heats it rises. Cold water settles to the bottom, is heated and then makes its way out of the tank.

Electric water heaters have a thermostat, often one per heating element. Gas water heaters use a burner control. In both cases they are designed to control the temperature of the water in the tank.

Heating elements jut into an electric water heater from the side. Similar to heating elements on an electric oven, they are thick rods that heat up when supplied with electric energy, thereby heating the water.

In a gas water heater, a burner sits at the bottom of the tank to heat the water. There is also a chimney running through the middle of the tank in gas water heaters.

Both kinds of water heater have a drain valve near the bottom. With this open, the water drains out, allowing you to do repairs or move the entire appliance.

So that the water heater tank does not build up too much pressure and risk explosion, a pressure relief valve is necessary. Attached near the top, it is linked with an overflow tube in case too much water is in the tank.

In addition, electric water heaters have what is called a sacrificial anode rod. This is a vertically-placed rod running through the middle of the tank which prevents the tank from water corrosion. These 7 primary parts are found on all electric or gas-powered water heaters. Solar powered or geothermal water heaters incorporate different parts, but by and large electric and gas water heaters are predominantly found in homes and businesses.

Water heater venting is essential if your water heater burns any fossil fuels to produce heat. It is not however required with most electrical systems. Venting gas and oil fired water heaters is normally essential. If your house already has a chimney then there's a good chance that this will be used for the vents in your heating system however it's also possible to install separate vents if required.

Whenever you burn anything fumes are produced, although you might not always see the fumes they do exist. With a smoke fire the fumes are contained in the smoke which is clearly visible.

The chimney was designed as a way to get rid of the smoke and fumes from coal fires and works very well.

Gas fired water heaters may not produce any visible smoke, however it will produce lots of fumes. If the fumes are allowed back into the room then this can create carbon monoxide which will be very dangerous.

Oil fired water heaters also require the same venting requirements to get rid of fumes because they can cause any harm to your room.

It really is essential that you vent a gas fired or oil fired water heater then you will really need to vent it. Installing one of these water heaters without the vent will cause serious problems to your health.

The fumes from a gas water heater are similar to your car and you wouldn't want to breathe these fumes in anyway.

There are actually a number of different types of vent which can be used to get rid of the fumes caused by hot water heaters. You must ensure that the right type of vent is installed for the type of heater you are fitting. Spend time choosing the vents depending on your buildings characteristics and whether or not you have a chimney.

Traditional water heaters used a traditional vent, this was where heaters got rid of waste fumes up a flue, this was basically a chimney. Fumes would rise up the chimney because they were hot, this worked well but was not overly efficient.

Many modern water heaters use a balanced flue or a power vent. This is where a motor forces the emissions from the water heater out through a pipe, this means that it can be vented out the side of a building rather than having to rely on the fact that hot fumes will rise. If you don't have a chimney then a power vent is normally much cheaper and easier to install.

A power vent makes it much easier for you to mount your water heater anywhere you want to. As long as the water heater is located on an external wall you will be able to easily fit it by drilling a vent hole out of the wall.

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