A water heater is an underappreciated appliance. Unless the morning shower sprays cold water, no one will really stop to grasp the importance of water heaters. Without a water heater, majority of the people will probably go to work or school without a bath. A water heater is essential in every household.

There are two types of water heaters—gas and electric.

Gas and electric water heaters are the same, except the gas ones do not have heating elements such as the burner and burner control.

A water heater consists of an inner steel tank that is bonded with glass liner to prevent rust from seeping into the water. The tank is designed to handle 300 pounds per square inch (psi) of water pressure. It can also hold 40 to 60 gallons of hot water.

The tank is insulated, with a dip tube to let in cold water, and a pipe to let out hot water. It also has a thermostat to control the water temperature. To avoid scalding and to conserve energy, the water temperate is recommended to be between 120 to 140?F.

Thick elements inside the tank heat the water; while a drain valve lets you drain the tank prior to moving or replacement of elements.

For the safety and maintenance of the tank, a pressure relief valve keeps the tank from exploding, and a sacrificial anode rod to prevent corrosion.

To prolong the life and usage of the water heater, and to ensure your own safety, take note of these maintenance and safety guides:

•    To avoid explosions and other accidents, have a licensed plumber repair dripping or leaking temperature and pressure relief valves. Do not attempt to plug or remove the valves yourself. If the heater’s thermostat or surrounding insulation has been exposed or submerged in water, have the heater inspected and replaced right away.

•    If possible, do not set the thermostat setting higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid scalds and burns. Even setting the thermostat to 160 degrees Fahrenheit can cause first-degree burns in less than a second.

•    To save energy, use lower thermostat settings during low demand periods.

•    Drain the water heater before you shut it down during freezing temperatures. If the heater will be shut down for a longer period, leave the drain valve open.

•    Drain and flush the tank every six months to remove sediment buildup. To drain the heater, turn off the power and close the cold water inlet valve. Open a hot water faucet nearby. Connect a hose to the drain valve and then drain. If the drain hose is not rated for at least 200 degrees Fahrenheit, open the cold water inlet valve and a hot faucet. After draining and flushing, refill the tank and restore the water heater power.

A water heater is not cheap and is not easy to install. To further enjoy your hot water and to save on unwanted repairs or calls to plumbers and technicians, always read the manufacturer’s manual and take proper care for your heater.