Gas Water Heater

Gas water heaters are very common in many homes, and these models are more popular due to their lower start-up and operating costs. Gas water heaters are tank-type water heaters, and as the name implies, heats cold water and then stores it until it's required by various plumbing fixtures and gadgets in the house. The law of physics known as convection governs how heat rises in a gas water heater.

As the water in the tank becomes hotter, it rises and is carried away through the hot water discharge pipe to provide hot water as needed. Because its purpose is to use the hottest water at the top of the tank, a gas water heater is more likely to allow scalding.

A direct-fired storage-tank water heater uses a burner located on top of the sealed tank, which heats up directly from an open flame and does not rely upon convection. This saves energy because there is no need for cold air to flow into the unit. And since it doesn't rely on convection, it is less likely to allow scalding.

Electric Water Heater 

Electric water heaters have become popular over the last decade. These units are instantaneous and provide hot water on demand because they don't store any; instead of using internal storage tanks, they rely on electricity to heat water on demand.

An instantaneous electric model heats cold water as it flows into the unit and then dispenses that hot water through an outlet connection. These units are not meant for storage purposes, so they lack the insulation necessary for this purpose; instead, their focus is on delivering instant hot water at all times of day or night.

An electric water heater is an excellent option for smaller homes. While these units require some installation, they don't need any significant maintenance as other water heaters do.

Power Vented Water Heater 

"Power Vented" is simply a term used to describe how a water heater blows toxic flammable gases out of your home. Depending on where your water heater is located, a Power Vented unit may be your only option in some residential areas. They make an excellent option for improving the extraction of harmful combustion gases from your home. 

A power vent water heater is vented horizontally, and vents exhaust through a horizontal pipe that leads out your home. An added fan/blower pushes the exhaust gases through this pipe. The blower in the power vent water heaters must be attached to an electrical source to run. Therefore, extra power is required to control the blower, and this power source is separate from powering your water heater. 

*Water heating systems are the second biggest user of electricity in your home. This is on average 18% of your electricity costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. So now you are probably wondering how to save money on your electric bill without resorting to cold showers. 

Using PowerX Water Heater Sensor at Home

PowerX Water Heater is compatible with all water heater types regardless of the make and model. Before you make your purchase, our team helps you identify the type of water heater in your home in order to make the proper selection. 

If you're ready to optimize your water heater and begin saving at home, visit the PowerX water heater page to learn more.