The Ins and Outs of an Electric Hot Water System

You know that hot water coming out of your tap isn’t magic — but do you actually know how it gets heated?

Most people don’t know how their electric hot water systems work. They just know that when they turn on the water faucet, hot water comes out. If the water is cold, something is wrong and it’s time to call a plumber.

But it would benefit you to understand the ins and outs of an electric hot water system. You could even save money on your energy bills! So, let’s dive in and learn about electric hot water systems.

What Is an Electric Hot Water System

In short, an electric system is a system that heats water with an electric element. It may have a tank to store heated water or it may heat water on demand.

About half of Australian households use electric water heaters. The tank type is relatively inexpensive to buy and install compared to other types of hot water systems.

How Do Electric Hot Water Systems Work?

An electric system with a tank will have an electric element at the bottom of the tank. Water feeds into the tank at the bottom and the element gets right to work heating the water.

According to the laws of physics, hot water rises just like air. Thus, as the water heats, it rises to the top of the tank.

The pipe carrying hot water to your fixtures is located near the top of the tank. This ensures that all the water coming out of your tank is hot because the cold water stays near the bottom.

In the tankless version, the water is heated as needed. This cuts down on wasted energy because there is no heat escaping from the stored water.

However, you have to wait a few seconds after turning on the faucet for the water to become hot. Plus, you’ll pay more for the electricity you use during peak hours.

The Good and the Bad

The concept of electric hot water systems is pretty basic. Even so, a licensed plumber is necessary to install and maintain an electric hot water system. Proper maintenance will help the system run efficiently and last longer.

Installation Cost

The cost of an electric system upfront is relatively cheap, which helps to account for its popularity.

Tankless electric systems are considerably more expensive to install. However, people who want to use as little energy as possible will appreciate this system since there is no heat loss. They are also great for homes with variable hot water needs.

Energy Cost

The price of electricity is always going up and who knows when it might skyrocket. Having an electric system means you have to pay whatever price it hits. Of-peak systems help you control costs by heating the bulk of your water during off-peak hours.

An Electric System for You

We hope you understand a little bit more about electric hot water systems and how they work. Now, you can consult an expert to figure out the best system for your households’ needs!