The Basics About Water Heaters: Types, Parts, and How They Work
- Admin
- Apr 10
- 3 min read
Hot water is something we all take for granted—until we don’t have it. At Diamond Plumbing, we get a lot of questions from Ada homeowners about water heaters. Whether yours needs a repair or you’re thinking about upgrading, it helps to understand how these essential systems work. In this post, we’ll break down the basics: the different types of water heaters, their main components, and how they deliver hot water to your home.
Common Types of Water Heaters
There are several types of water heaters available today, each with its own pros and cons. The right one for your home depends on your hot water usage, budget, and energy efficiency goals.
1. Traditional Tank Water Heaters
These are the most common in Ada, OK. They heat water and store it in a tank, usually 30 to 80 gallons. When hot water is used, the tank refills and reheats the water.
Pros: Lower initial cost, simple operation
Cons: Can run out of hot water; higher energy usage to keep water hot
2. Tankless Water Heaters
Also known as on-demand water heaters, these units heat water as you need it, without storing it in a tank.
Pros: Energy-efficient, endless hot water
Cons: Higher upfront cost, may need upgrades to your gas or electric system
3. Hybrid Water Heaters (Heat Pump)
These use electricity to move heat from the air into the water—like a reverse refrigerator.
Pros: Extremely energy-efficient
Cons: Requires more space and a warm location (like a garage or utility room)
4. Solar Water Heaters
Powered by the sun, these are eco-friendly but less common in Oklahoma due to variable sun exposure.
Key Parts of a Water Heater
Knowing the basic parts of your water heater can help you better understand what might be going wrong—and when to call the experts.
Tank (Storage Units Only): Stores hot water until it’s needed.
Burner or Heating Element: Heats the water, powered by gas or electricity.
Thermostat: Controls the water temperature.
Dip Tube: Delivers cold water to the bottom of the tank for heating.
Anode Rod: Protects the tank from corrosion.
Pressure Relief Valve: Prevents excess pressure buildup in the tank.
Vent or Flue (Gas Models): Exhausts combustion gases safely outside the home.
Tankless models have heat exchangers instead of tanks and usually feature digital controllers for temperature settings.
How Water Heaters Work
The process varies a bit between tank and tankless models:
Tank Water Heaters:
Cold water enters through the dip tube.
It’s heated by the burner or electric element.
Hot water rises to the top of the tank, ready to be used.
The thermostat maintains a consistent temperature.
When a faucet is turned on, hot water flows out while cold water refills the tank.
Tankless Water Heaters:
Cold water flows through the unit when a hot tap is opened.
The heat exchanger heats the water instantly.
Hot water flows directly to the faucet—no storage needed.
Need Water Heater Help in Ada, OK?
Whether you’re replacing an old unit or upgrading to a tankless model, Diamond Plumbing is here to help. Our Ada plumbing experts are trained to install, repair, and maintain all types of water heaters. We’ll help you choose the right system for your home—and keep your hot water running smoothly all year long.
📞 Call Diamond Plumbing today at 580.332.7668 or contact us online to schedule your service.
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