Water Heater Information

Many people run a warm, relaxing bath without thinking about the process used to heat the water. Indeed, most take hot water for granted, and would never entertain the idea of heating water on the stove, although that method was commonly used as recently as 100 years ago.

Function

The function of a water heater is to heat cold water, providing hot water on demand. The hot water is then used as necessary for many uses, including bathing, laundry, dishwashing, along with health and sanitation needs.

History

Benjamen Waddy Maughan is credited with the design of the first water heater, which he developed in the 1870s. Little is known about Maughan and his invention; however, he inspired Edwin Ruud, who, in 1889, developed the first automatic storage water heater. Water heaters produced in the early years utilized a water pipe bent into a coil on a gas burner, which was lit as water flowed through the open tap, and allowed the hot coils to heat it.

Types

Several types of water heaters are on the market, including natural gas, electric and solar. Natural-gas types are available in high-efficiency gas storage models, whole-home gas tankless units and gas-condensing water heaters. Electric choices include the heat pump water heater, which can reduce water heating bills by up to 50 percent. Solar options are worth considering for those who prefer using a renewable energy source.

References

• Birmingham Stories: Hot Water at Any Time
• Energystar.gov: Buy Products That Make a Difference
• Combi Boiler Guide: Who Invented the First Combi Boiler?