The original tank water heaters date back to the late 19th century, and their underlying principles remain the same today. These systems heat and store water in a tank for later use, which means that they can run out and be slow to recover. Let’s look at the evolution of water heaters.
Natural Gas Integration and Electrification
The development of gas-burning water heaters made combustion-based systems safer and more convenient. Soon after, electric water heaters became widely available. While gas remains cheaper as an energy source, electric systems are cleaner, more efficient, and safer.
Improved Tank and Combustion Safety Standards
The innovation of glass-lined tanks made storage-based systems less prone to corrosion, making them last much longer. Improved safety standards all but eliminated tank explosions by the 1920s. By the mid-1900s, the addition of sacrificial anode rods significantly slowed the accumulation of rust and scale in tanks. In the 1960s and 1970s, improved exhaust system standards drastically reduced the risk of carbon monoxide exposure.
On-Demand Water Heaters
On-demand water heaters are the most notable modern innovation. These systems don’t store hot water but rather heat it as needed, eliminating standby energy losses. This means that a well-sized instant water heater can deliver a virtually unlimited hot water supply.
Condensing Fuel-Fired Water Heaters
Fuel-burning water heaters lose heat energy through their flues, which is why they’ve traditionally been substantially less efficient than electric water heaters. Condensing systems reclaim that heat energy before venting the toxic byproduct gases. That’s allowed for fuel-fired tank and tankless water heaters that are nearly as efficient as their electric counterparts.
Built-In Recirculation for Instant Water Heaters
Integrated recirculation pumps have greatly improved tankless water heaters over the original designs. Such pumps reduce hot water delays and can eliminate the cold-water sandwich effect. They also make stand-alone systems more viable in a much wider range of applications, including large, multistory houses.
Heat Pump Water Heaters
Heat pump water heaters are a type of electric tank water heater that uses a heat pump rather than a heating element. The difference is that heat pumps transfer heat energy rather than generate it directly. That makes this style of tank water heater even more efficient than an on-demand water heater in many scenarios.
Smart Water Heater Capabilities
Smart water heaters allow for remote access and control and can integrate with your home’s automation system. Many have machine learning that can improve efficiency as it adapts to household usage. You can set up an automatic schedule to reduce energy waste while away from home. Some can even detect leaks and other problems and send alerts to your phone.
While water heater manufacturers have made tremendous strides over the years, they’re not done yet. Emerging technologies include thermal battery systems and even AI-powered water heaters.
For comprehensive water heater services in Cedar Rapids, IA, trust the professionals at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing.